Part of a series of articles previewing the defensive performance of all 30 MLB teams by asking the question … are they good?

To see the full series, click here.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Rank: T-22nd

Team Strengths

Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least 10 Defensive Runs Saved in each of the last four years. He was our 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and though he slipped to 10 Runs Saved last season, he still ranked tied for 2nd at the position (even though injuries kept him below 100 games).

Most Defensive Runs Saved – 3rd Base

Last 4 Seasons

Next to Hayes at shortstop will be Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who had 12 Runs Saved there in 2021 and 10 more in 2022, but played only 44 games there the last two seasons. Kiner-Falefa can also play third base and second base if needed and has a pretty good stat-based reputation at each position.

Jared Triolo won the Gold Glove for utility players last season. His best position last year was second base where he saved 6 runs in 47 games. He also has 6 Runs Saved in 96 games at third base over the last two seasons. Another utility player, Adam Frazier, has five seasons with at least 4 Runs Saved at second base (including 2024 with the Royals).

Team Weaknesses

Oneil Cruz got his feet wet in center field with 23 games last season. He had -3 Runs Saved, but more notably 9 Misplays & Errors (a high total for a small span of games). Cruz replaces Michael A. Taylor, one of the better defensive center fielders in the game, albeit with a limited bat.

First baseman Endy Rodriguez doesn’t have a lot of experience at the position, so we’re a little wary of him, though he does have the capability to play multiple other spots, including catcher.

Nick Gonzales is slated to be the starting second baseman. The Pirates have better defensive options than him, so we’ll see how long he lasts there. He had -4 Runs Saved in 85 games last season.

Other Things To Know

With the signing of Tommy Pham, who can play an average left field, Bryan Reynolds is probably going to play right field, the position he’s played the least of the three outfield spots in his time in the major leagues. Reynolds has 4 Runs Saved in 53 games there, though all those Runs Saved came in 2019.

Are The Pirates A Good Defensive Team?

The Pirates have some good defensive players but I wouldn’t yet call them a good defensive team. The loss of Taylor is going to be hard to make up and center field is a tough position to break someone in at (see Jazz Chisholm among others).