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Reds vs. Pirates: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

By Scott Boyken

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning during a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI triple in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds.
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI triple. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Reds fans should keep a close eye on the Bucs’ superstar in the making.

Pittsburgh fans have had very little worth celebrating this season, but centerfielder Bryan Reynolds has been absolutely brilliant. The 26-year-old is the centerpiece of the Pirates’ rebuilding effort over the next few seasons.

Acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the January 2018 deal that sent former MVP Andrew McCutchen to the Bay Area, Reynolds is posting the kind of numbers Cutch was producing during his prime in the Steel City.

Entering play yesterday, Reynolds is slashing a remarkable .298/387/.516 with an incredible 144 OPS+ mark. The numbers don’t lie. The Vanderbilt alum is one of the best hitters in the NL.

Reynolds resides within the top 10 in the senior circuit in bWAR, batting average, OBP, OPS, hits, total bases, and doubles. Add 24 homers and 89 RBIs, and you have one of the most exciting players in the game.

A first-time All-Star this season, Reynolds is contractually under club control through the 2025 season. Even though spending money on the major league roster is not a huge priority for the Pirates at this time, locking him up sooner rather than later should be a no-brainer for the Pittsburgh front office.

Needless to say, it’s been an excruciating few years for Bucs’ fans, but obtaining Reynolds was an instance the Pittsburgh front office hit a home run. Time will tell, but the trade of Bryan Reynolds may be remembered as one of the best in Pittsburgh franchise history.

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