Bryan Reynolds is chasing a feeling — not a stat line. The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for a pivotal 2026 season, and their franchise outfielder has spent the winter obsessing over a single swing from four years ago. He’s convinced it holds the key to reversing a frustrating downturn and unlocking his best game.
Revisiting the Swing That Felt Perfect
Across seven MLB seasons, Reynolds has built quite a résumé with 966 career hits and 138 home runs. But this offseason, numbers didn’t matter much to him. Reynolds has been trying to recreate one specific swing: a July 23, 2021 home run off Johnny Cueto at Oracle Park.
What Made That Swing Special
He describes that moment as the embodiment of his ideal “barrel move”—when the bat gets on plane early with a flatter attack angle. In his mind, timing, path, and balance all just clicked.
He’s been chasing that feel all winter. Working with a former high school coach, Reynolds focused not only on power but mostly on consistency and repeatability—qualities that seemed to vanish in 2025.
A Disappointing 2025 Sparks Change
The urgency behind Reynolds’ offseason work is pretty obvious. His 2025 campaign took a clear step backward, even though some of the underlying metrics suggested something better was possible.
Production vs. Process
His batting average dipped from .275 to .245, and his home runs fell from 24 to 16. The spike in his strikeout rate to a career-high 26.5% was hard to ignore.
After reviewing the season, Reynolds didn’t blame injury. He pointed to flaws in his swing path and timing, feeling his bat was too often in the wrong spot even when he made solid contact.
Encouraging Metrics Beneath the Surface
Oddly enough, Reynolds put up some of his best underlying numbers during what looked like his worst season. That disconnect made him think he needed refinement, not a total overhaul.
Why the Data Still Matters
In 2025, he posted career highs in:
- Average exit velocity: 91.2 mph
- Hard-hit rate: 46.0%
Still, his actual slugging percentage (.402) lagged behind his expected slugging (.447). Reynolds thinks an inconsistent bat path led to weak outcomes on balls that should have done more damage.
A Winter Built on Repetition
To fix those issues, Reynolds went back to basics this offseason. He ditched big mechanical changes and focused on deliberate, repetitive work instead.
Inside Reynolds’ Offseason Routine
His daily routine centered on:
- Soft toss drills to groove a flatter swing plane
- Lots of video review for visual cues
- Repetitive timing drills to sharpen pitch recognition
Now, Reynolds says his swing feels “completely different.” He’s pretty confident these changes will hold up against elite velocity—think 97 mph fastballs—once spring training starts.
Optimism Surrounding a Revamped Pirates Lineup
Reynolds’ optimism isn’t just about his own swing. He’s genuinely excited about a Pirates roster that’s quietly added real depth this offseason.
A Lineup With Real Potential
He’s praised additions like Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, Mason Montgomery, and Ryan O’Hearn. Reynolds believes this group could form the best lineup he’s played with in Pittsburgh.
Projected top-of-the-order options might include Oneil Cruz, O’Hearn, Lowe, Spencer Horwitz, and Reynolds himself. Another third-base acquisition could make the offense even stronger.
A New Season, A New Energy
Reynolds keeps saying nothing’s guaranteed, but you can tell he feels a sharper, more competitive vibe around the club. With Don Kelly about to run his first spring training as manager, Reynolds can’t wait to get to Bradenton, Florida.
He’s curious to see how all the pieces will fit together.
For someone chasing that memory of one perfect swing, 2026 means more than just another year. It’s a shot to turn all that feel into real results and push the Pirates closer to actual contention.
Here is the source article for this story: After a frustrating 2025, the Pirates’ Bryan Reynolds has identified the key to a bounce-back season
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