Seeking a return to form, Bryan Reynolds adjusts his stance and defensive position, aiming to reclaim his slugging prowess this season.
For the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when he hit .189 in 55 games, there is reason for the Pittsburgh Pirates to be concerned about Bryan Reynolds.
Reynolds hit .245/.318/.402 with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs in 154 games. During the previous four seasons, the outfielder hit at least 24 homers while driving in at least 84 runs three times and slashing .276/.352/.472.
Reynolds might not have been metronomic between 2022-25, but he was close. Reynolds, 31, is hoping to get back to that level of production this season after making swing changes in the offseason.
“Now we just have to translate that over to live (batting practice), then games, and not hit the panic button day one,” Reynolds told reporters at the Pirates’ spring training camp in Bradenton, Fla.
It is hard to imagine the low-key Reynolds ever hitting a panic button. However, Reynolds was not pleased with what he saw in videos of his at-bats last season, which included 173 strikeouts, a career high.
In short, Reynolds is hitting from a more upright stance, putting his feet closer together, after he found through video analysis that he was often hunching during his plate appearances.
Reynolds played exclusively in right field last season and had one defensive run saved. However, Reynolds moves to left field this season as newcomer Ryan O’Hearn takes over in right, a move that would seem to hurt the defense on a team built around its pitching staff.
Reynolds had minus-5 DRS in 117 games in left field in 2024. The spacious left field at PNC Park can be difficult to play with the 410-foot gap in left-center.
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly helped Reynolds’ defense in the second half of last season by teaching him the Dustin Pedroia hop.
The former Boston Red Sox second baseman would take a hop as the pitch was thrown to put himself in a more athletic position to make plays.“I’m just going to really work on that in spring, get that nailed down,” Reynolds said. “I haven’t played well, but I did start to at the end last year. Wherever they put me, I’m going to hop in the air and react.”
Pirates Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Pirates. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.