Can Bryan Reynolds Return to All-Star Level Form In 2026?
Although the Pittsburgh Pirates offense really struggled in 2025, Bryan Reynolds is the one hitter you can still rely on to put up quality production. Unfortunately, even the switch-hitting outfielder couldn’t get it going offensively, as he posted career worsts in slugging (.402), OPS (.720), and bWAR (1.4).Reynolds still hit fastballs well in 2025; hitting .297 and slugging .460. However, he struggled handling breaking balls, with a .189 average and a .383 slugging percentage. Against offspeed pitches, Reynolds batted just .219, while slugging .286.
In terms of underlying metrics, Reynolds’ xSLG was .477. He registered a 46.0% hard-hit rate, which was better than the MLB average at 37.0%, so the slugging should have been higher based on the quality of hard contact.
As discouraging as the offensive numbers were for Reynolds last year, he’s a season removed from an All-Star campaign, where he was a four-win player offensively.
Reynolds enters 2026 in his age 31 season - a point in which players typically begin to exit their prime. Can he bounce back into All-Star level form?
Last season might have been a case of Reynolds pressing too much at the plate, especially with a very lackluster offense. Now with the additions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, as well as Spencer Horwitz having a strong, second half, it should provide Reynolds much more protection in the lineup.
Combined with still showing quality of contact at the plate, and being in a better lineup on paper, there’s little reason to think that Reynolds couldn’t return to his 2024 form. Even a three-win Reynolds on offense this year would be a big boost for the Pirates lineup.