The Pittsburgh Pirates have had many first basemen, but which one reigns supreme from the 21st century?
The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t won much in the 21st Century, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t players worth celebrating.
Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter listed the best first basemen from the past 25 seasons and listed Josh Bell for the Pirates.
“The Pirates have used 13 different primary first basemen over the last 16 years, and the only player to man the position for more than one season during that stretch was Josh Bell, who finished third in 2017 NL Rookie of the Year voting,” Reuter writes.
“He hit .277/.367/.569 with 37 doubles, 37 home runs and 116 RBI to earn his only All-Star selection in 2019, and that stands as one of the best individual offensive seasons of the last 25 years for the Pirates.”
Honorable mentions for the exercise were Garrett Jones, who was with the Buccos from 2019-13 and Adam LaRoche, who played with the Pirates from 2007-09.
Bell, 32, began his career with the Pirates from 2016-20, making his mark with the team. However, the Pirates were unable to sustain much success for him and found themselves rocking the worst record in the league in his final season with the team.
The Pirates traded Bell to the Washington Nationals at the end of the 2020 season, which began a journeyman era in his career.
Since being traded to the Nats, Bell has played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Now, he’s back with the Nats in the nation’s capital after signing a one-year deal this offseason.
BD community, who are your favorite first basemen in Pirates history? Chime off in the comments section below.