Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making significant changes to their Major League coaching staff by parting ways with hitting coach Andy Haines, bullpen coach Justin Meccage, and strength and conditioning coach Adam Vish. This decision marks one of the most notable shakeups in years, according to sources from MLB.com.

Haines joined the Pirates before the 2022 season after serving as the hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers for three years. During his tenure, the team saw a transition from trying out more external players to promoting homegrown talent from the Minors. However, overall team performance remained largely unchanged. The Pirates scored 665 runs this season, ranking 24th in baseball, and had a .672 OPS, placing them 27th.

On a broader scale, the team's offensive metrics declined in 2024 compared to 2023. They scored fewer runs (692 in 2023 vs. 665 in 2024), had a lower OPS (.707 in 2023 vs. .672 in 2024), and saw a drop in wRC+ (90 in 2023 vs. 86 in 2024).

Individual player performances varied under Haines' guidance. Bryan Reynolds posted strong numbers over two seasons with Haines' help, while Oneil Cruz showed improvement against left-handed pitching this year and credited both Haines and assistant hitting coach Christian Marrero for his progress. Nick Gonzales also improved significantly after Haines identified mechanical issues he had unknowingly developed.

However, several players struggled this season. Jack Suwinski was sent to the Minors after regressing from his previous year's performance. Henry Davis hit only .144 with a .453 OPS in his Major League games despite excelling at Minor League levels. Veterans Rowdy Tellez and Michael A. Taylor faced difficulties throughout the season, and Ke’Bryan Hayes experienced an offensive downturn due to back issues.

The lack of consistent offensive production has been an ongoing issue for the Pirates beyond Haines' tenure and was a key factor behind their inability to capitalize on their young starting pitching talent, resulting in a final record of 76-86.

The bullpen's performance also contributed to these struggles. Despite high expectations entering the season, Pirates relievers ended with a collective ERA of 4.49 (27th in baseball) and recorded 27 blown saves (tied for fourth-most). Meccage was initially hired as an assistant pitching coach in 2018 before becoming bullpen coach ahead of Derek Shelton's tenure starting in 2020.

David Bednar exemplified these bullpen challenges by losing his closer role after blowing seven saves this season—matching his total from the previous two seasons combined—and recording eight losses equal to those over his first three years with Pittsburgh.

Other relievers like Colin Holderman and Aroldis Chapman showed promise but were inconsistent alongside younger pitchers Kyle Nicolas, Hunter Stratton, and Carmen Mlodzinski who also experienced streaky performances throughout this year’s campaign.

Vish joined Pittsburgh’s staff back In December of late December after working as San Francisco Giants’ Minor League strength & conditioning coordinator spanning eight seasons prior arrival here within organization

General Manager Ben Cherington expressed confidence In manager Derek Shelton on September eleventh indicating he will return next year following same final record finishing same last two consecutive seasons at seventy-six wins eighty-six losses respectively

“I think there’s lot job [that] I believe [Shelton] does really well," said Cherington "and I also believe he works tail off continue improve number ways seeing that believe right person manage team twenty-twenty-five fully expect happen”