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Pittsburgh Pirates 2015 MLB season preview and predictions

By Will Osgood

Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) react in the outfield after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. The Pirates won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) react in the outfield after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. The Pirates won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker (18) heads to home plate after a two-run home run in the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker (18) heads to home plate after a two-run home run in the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Looking back at the 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates’ season and looking ahead to 2015.

Introduction/2014 Capsule

Following the Pittsburgh Pirates’ magical run in 2013, where they earned their first playoff berth in 21 seasons, the excitement of their second consecutive playoff appearance dimmed slightly, especially nationally. Yet the Pirates were overall a more solid outfit in 2014.

Andrew McCutchen struggled a bit out of the gate and had a slightly less impressive 2014 campaign, yet still ended the season as one of the best players in baseball. Utility man Josh Harrison stepped up to put together one of the best seasons of any player in baseball.

The result was another Wild Card berth, but this time they were blown out by the eventual champion San Francisco Giants in the one-game Wild Card game.

2014 Record: 88-74 (.543); 2nd in NL Central; 1st Wild Card

2014 Run Differential: +51

Other Key Stats:

-3rd in MLB in OBP (.330)

-7th in MLB in slugging percentage (.404)

-8th in team ERA (3.47)

-15th in NL (in other words worst) in errors with 109

-Entire pitching staff had 3.80 FIP (fielding independent pitching rate)

The Pirates for the last few years have been characterized by a lot of the baseball media as a team which has struggled offensively. Yet led by Andrew McCutchen and Russell Martin, they put together the third best on-base percentage. Meanwhile, much of the squad had .400-plus slugging percentages.

It only catapulted them to the 10th most runs league-wide, but they were fourth in the National League. Meanwhile, the pitching staff was actually even better than advertised in 2014 with a quite impressive 3.80 FIP, which more than made up for their below average defense.

Much of that could be credited to veteran catcher Russell Martin, who may have been the most valuable player in the league when considering his impact on the pitching staff, as he was among the league’s best in pitch framing a season ago. He is gone, but Francisco Cervelli—who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees—was also among the league’s best in pitch framing a season ago.

Lasting Memory from 2014 season:

The Wild Card game was ugly for Pittsburgh. Unlike the Pirates’ initial foray into the postseason in 2013, this one left a bit of an ugly memory for the Pirates and their fans. While 2013 was remembered as magical, 2014 was left in the minds the way most seasons are for the majority of franchises—as having a disappointing ending.

Next: How is the Pirates roster different from 2014?

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