'As he goes, the team goes': Pirates counting on more consistency from Bryan Reynolds

BRADENTON, Fla.

Bryan Reynolds is convinced he’s capable of a 30-home run, 100-RBI season, even if the Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder has never hit for either of those benchmarks in a season.

After leading the team in slugging percentage and RBIs and ranking second in batting average, doubles, triples, home runs and OPS last season, Reynolds believes he’s capable of producing more for the Pirates.

“Yeah, for sure, I’m capable of it. It’s about actually doing it,” Reynolds said. “That’s the name of the game, being consistent. That’s what makes players good, really good or great.”

One factor that could make Reynolds go from really good to great this season is the return of Oneil Cruz to the leadoff spot. It has the promise to be more beneficial to the No. 2 hitter than any other player in the Pirates lineup, if the first nine games of last season are any indication.

Batting behind Cruz, Reynolds slashed .405/.415/.919 with two doubles, a triple, five home runs and 14 RBIs with 10 runs scored through the first nine games before the shortstop fractured his left ankle.

With designated hitter Andrew McCutchen or third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes batting behind, Reynolds could enjoy the best lineup protection he’s had in five years with the Pirates. After a couple of streaky seasons, Reynolds believes the key to his success is consistency.

“That’s the difference between a Hall of Famer and someone who’s in the big leagues for a cup of coffee,” said Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, a five-time All-Star and 2013 NL MVP. “That’s the main goal, to be as consistent as you can. It’s how you do it. You’re going to have periods where you’re real hot. No one maintains that.

“What you can maintain is when you have those cold spurts, being able to get out of those quicker to get yourself back to neutral. How much can you do that? How average can you be? So when you have those above-average moments, you’re doing well. And when you’re below average, you get yourself back up to average and makes that above-average play.”

Reynolds was great in 2021, when he had career bests by slashing .302/.309/.522 with 35 doubles, eight triples and 90 RBIs and was selected to his first All-Star Game. He was really good in 2022, slashing .262/.345/.451 and leading the Pirates with a career-best 27 homers.

That prompted the Pirates to reward Reynolds with a franchise-record, eight-year, $106.75 million contract last April, pairing him with Hayes as a cornerstone.

“He’s a switch hitter with power on both sides, and he can also run,” Hayes said. “Whenever he’s going right, it helps us a whole lot.”

Reynolds was really good last season, despite some streaky stretches.

His start showed how Reynolds can run hot and cold. After leading the National League with 12 hits, 28 total bases, nine runs, 12 RBIs and a 1.120 slugging percentage and tying for the NL lead with four home runs and ranking second with a .480 batting average in the first two series, Reynolds earned MLB Player of the Week honors.

Reynolds then went through a 12-game stretch where he batted .178 (8 for 45). That’s why he wants to find a level of consistency, an elusive goal for most major leaguers.

“I don’t really remember my streaks last year, outside the first one,” Reynolds said. “I feel like everybody knows what my sweet spot is, so if I can stay there longer, it’s going to help us win.”

McCutchen batted in front of Reynolds in 20 games last season and behind him in 69, and he saw a hitter who can do whatever he wants at the plate, with the patience to draw walks and the power to launch homers. That’s something not every hitter can do.

“It’s nice to hit in front of and behind him,” McCutchen said. “It’s nice having him in the lineup, knowing that it’s not going to be easy for the opposing pitcher. He completes the lineup. As he goes, the team goes. We were able to see that in April.”

Now, Reynolds wants to show he can do that on a consistent basis. He batted .320 through the first month, then dipped to .242 in May. He had only four RBIs in June before slashing .200/.240/.337 in July.

Reynolds, however, rebounded over the final two months when Hayes returned to the lineup. Reynolds slashed .272/.342/.498 with 10 doubles, two triples, 12 homers and 35 RBIs in his final 54 games.

That was a sign Reynolds benefits from protection in the lineup.

“I think it does help,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “When you put guys around people so they’re able to get more pitches, different pitches, and when you put athletic people around, the threat of running and how you’re going to go, it’s very impactful.”