The 2025 season for Bryan Reynolds felt like a bundle of contradictions. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ veteran outfielder put up numbers that just weren’t up to his usual standards.
But if you look at the advanced metrics, his skillset didn’t really disappear. Some fans worried about a decline, but when you dig deeper, it looks like bad luck, nagging injuries, and some mechanical tweaks played a bigger role than any actual drop in talent.
Breaking Down the Numbers
On the surface, Reynolds’ production definitely slipped. He slashed .245/.318/.402 in 154 games, with 38 doubles, 16 home runs, and a career-high 173 strikeouts.
His overall output added up to a 1.4 WAR and a 99 wRC+, which is almost league average. For someone who’s usually one of the National League’s most reliable bats, that’s a drop-off.
Splits Tell the Story
Most of Reynolds’ struggles in 2025 came from the left side against right-handed pitching. His OPS in those matchups fell to .702, way below his career mark of .818.
Meanwhile, he held steady from the right side of the plate. That really points to something situational and fixable, not a complete loss of ability.
Underlying Metrics Suggest Stability
The basic stats might look underwhelming, but the advanced numbers tell a different story. Reynolds actually set a career-best exit velocity of 91.2 mph, posted a 10.1% barrel rate, and had a 46% hard-hit rate.
Those are strong signs that he was still making great contact. If anything, his power looked pretty healthy under the hood.
The Launch Angle Factor
One thing that really stands out is his career-low launch angle of 7.3 degrees. That small drop probably made a big difference in his home run and slugging numbers.
He hit more line drives into the gaps and fewer fly balls that could leave the park. The power didn’t vanish—it just didn’t show up as much in the box score.
Bad Luck and External Influences
Expected stats add another piece to the puzzle. Reynolds’ expected batting average was .271, and his expected slugging percentage was .466, both much higher than what actually happened.
That kind of gap screams bad luck on balls in play. Sometimes, the ball just doesn’t bounce your way, no matter how well you hit it.
Injury and Adjustments
Early in the year, Reynolds dealt with a shoulder injury that kept him from finding his groove. On top of that, 2025 was his first season with new hitting coach Matt Hague.
Even the best hitters need time to adjust to new ideas and mechanics, especially when they’re not 100%. It’s just part of the game.
Signs of a Turnaround
After a slow start in April, Reynolds started to look like himself again. He finished with an OPS of .744, which is a lot closer to his career numbers.
After the All-Star break, he really surged, posting a strong .816 OPS. Once he got healthy and settled in with the new approach, his bat came alive again.
Why the Pirates Should Hold On
Reynolds brings durability, professionalism, and he’s locked into a long-term deal in Pittsburgh. Trading him now just wouldn’t make sense.
Players who can consistently produce, lead, and handle adversity don’t come around often. If you ask me, patience and optimism are the way to go—for the front office and the fans.
Looking Ahead to 2026
All signs point to Reynolds regaining his All-Star form in 2026. He’s healthier, his mechanics look sharper, and those underlying metrics? They’re bound to show up in the box score soon enough.
Honestly, his 2025 campaign just proves why you can’t judge a player by surface stats alone. There’s a lot more going on beneath the numbers.
If the Pirates actually want to contend in the National League Central, they need to keep Reynolds around. Letting him do what he does best feels like an obvious move, doesn’t it?
He brings power, sprays doubles to the gaps, and plays steady defense. That’s exactly the kind of veteran presence teams crave when they’re chasing a title.
Here is the source article for this story: Jason Mackey: Inside Bryan Reynolds’ 2025 season and where the Pirates should go from here
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