The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting ready to start the season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a little less than two months away from Opening Day, and they still have Spring Training in Bradenton to figure out how to operate for the season.
Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter projected the team’s starting lineup for Opening Day against the Miami Marlins on Mar. 27.
Projected Starting Lineup
SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF Bryan Reynolds
CF Oneil Cruz
DH Andrew McCutchen
C Joey Bart
1B Spencer Horwitz
RF David Peralta
2B Nick Gonzales
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
Notes
-The leading in-house candidates to start alongside Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in the outfield right now are Joshua Palacios, Jack Suwinski, Ji Hwan Bae and Billy Cook, so expect a veteran signing before Opening Day.
-Veteran David Peralta had a 109 OPS+ with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 260 plate appearances with the Padres last season, so he is one potential target to bolster the outfield contingent.
The Pirates have a new leadoff man in Kiner-Falefa, who joined the team at the trade deadline last season. He’ll replace Oneil Cruz, who moves to center field full time this season.
The biggest change of the lineup comes with Peralta in right field, who joins the team after playing with the Padres a year ago.
BD community, what do you think of this potential starting lineup and order? IS this what you want to see or are there some changes that need to be made? Chime off in the comments section below.