As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the 2025 season, there are several players with a lot on the line. For some, this could be the year they solidify their roles in the major leagues. For others, it may be a last chance to prove themselves. Here’s a look at four players with the most to lose or gain in the upcoming season.
Pitcher: Mike Burrows
Mike Burrows’ career took an unexpected turn with Tommy John surgery in 2023, robbing him of the chance to establish himself as a starting pitcher. Now, as the Pirates’ pitching staff is stacked with top talent, including newcomers Jared Jones and Paul Skenes, Burrows finds himself fighting for a place in the rotation. He also faces competition from top prospects Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, and Thomas Harrington.
Burrows has the tools to succeed, with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, a high-spin curveball, a confident changeup, and a developing slider. However, the question remains: should he aim to prove himself in the minors or make the team as a long reliever like Luis Ortiz did in 2024? With so much competition, 2025 is a pivotal year for Burrows to show he can be an impactful starter.
Infielder: Liover Peguero
Liover Peguero entered Spring Training in 2024 hoping to secure the second base position, but he ultimately lost the job to Jared Triolo. With Nick Gonzales stepping up and the Pirates adding more talent to the mix, the second base position has become crowded. However, shortstop offers Peguero a potential path forward, especially as Oneil Cruz transitions to center field, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s contract expires soon.
Peguero showed growth defensively, but his offensive performance in Triple-A was underwhelming, with a .257/.319/.410 slash line. While second base remains crowded, shortstop could be a more open path for Peguero, but he’ll need to improve his bat to secure his place in 2025.
Outfielder: Jack Suwinski
After a disappointing 2024 campaign in which Jack Suwinski hit just .182 with a .588 OPS, the Pirates are looking to bolster their outfield and may bring in a new corner outfielder. Suwinski is no stranger to hot-and-cold streaks, and after a 26-homer season in 2023, there’s hope he can bounce back. However, his performance in 2024 wasn’t enough to guarantee him a starting spot, especially with a new outfielder possibly arriving.
Suwinski’s bat speed is still there, but can he translate that speed into better contact and consistency at the plate? With the Pirates needing offensive help, Suwinski has a lot to prove this spring if he wants to keep his spot on the roster in 2025.
Catcher: Henry Davis
2024 was a tough year for Henry Davis, who entered the season with a chance to become the Pirates’ long-term catcher but struggled significantly offensively. After a .144 batting average and a .453 OPS, Davis was sent back to the minors. He has shown promise at Triple-A, with a .307 average and a .956 OPS, but Major League pitching proved to be a significant challenge.
With Joey Bart looking like a strong contender for the catching job after a solid season and Endy Rodríguez recovering from elbow surgery, Davis is no longer guaranteed a role. This spring, Davis will need to prove that he can handle Major League pitching and secure his spot in the Pirates’ future plans at catcher.
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