Pirates Offense Is Reaching Lumber Company Levels

The Pirates entered 2026 hoping an average offense would be enough to support their pitching. Instead, the offense has become the strength of the team.

After finishing 2025 with an 82 wRC+, the Pirates are up to 110 this season, ranking second in baseball and producing at a level comparable to the 1971 Lumber Company. Alex Stumpf breaks down the historic improvement, the depth throughout the lineup and why falling behind no longer feels like an automatic loss.

Alex also examines Endy Rodriguez’s simplified swing, the early impact of Esmerlyn Valdez and Konnor Griffin, and why unexpected production from the rookies has raised the ceiling of the entire offense.

Chapters:

0:00 Comparing the Pirates to the Lumber Company
1:03 The comeback in Philadelphia
4:29 Years of historically bad offense
5:34 Endy Rodriguez’s swing adjustment
7:51 The rookies are producing
8:23 IQ Bar
9:51 The offense must carry the Pirates
11:19 Esmerlyn Valdez and Konnor Griffin
14:26 A true pass-the-baton lineup

Read more from Alex Stumpf at Book Rule Bucs:
bookrulebucs.substack.com

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