Bryan Reynolds is a rising star in Major League Baseball, known for his impressive hitting and solid defensive skills.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his debut with the team in 2019.
Reynolds quickly proved himself to be an important asset to the Pirates, and has since become a key player for the team.
We will explore how the Pirates were able to acquire Reynolds, and analyze his impact on the team since joining the organization.
Bryan Reynolds’ Background
Bryan Reynolds attended Vanderbilt University, where he played college baseball as an outfielder. He had an impressive career at Vanderbilt, batting .345 with 23 home runs, 98 runs batted in (RBIs), and 23 stolen bases in 163 games played.
Reynolds was highly regarded as a prospect coming out of college, and was eventually selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft, as the 59th overall pick.
After being drafted, Reynolds began his professional career in the minor leagues. He played for the Pirates’ Single-A affiliate, the West Virginia Power, in 2016, where he batted .312 with 6 home runs and 43 RBIs in 58 games.
In 2017, Reynolds played for the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, and batted .312 with 10 home runs and 63 RBIs in 118 games.
Reynolds’ impressive performance in the minor leagues earned him a call-up to the majors in 2019, where he quickly became a standout player for the Pirates.
The Trade
On January 15, 2018, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Bryan Reynolds and pitcher Kyle Crick from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfielder Andrew McCutchen and cash considerations.
In addition to Reynolds and Crick, the Pirates also sent $500,000 of international bonus slot money to the Giants as part of the deal.
The trade was motivated by different factors for both teams. The Giants were looking to rebuild their roster and shed some of their more expensive players.
McCutchen was a former National League MVP who was set to become a free agent after the 2018 season, and the Giants decided to trade him in order to receive some value in return before potentially losing him for nothing.
On the other hand, the Pirates saw an opportunity to acquire two promising young players in Reynolds and Crick, while also filling a need in their outfield by trading for McCutchen.
Reynolds was considered a top prospect in the Giants organization, and the Pirates saw him as a potential future star in the making.
Overall, the trade was viewed as a win for the Pirates, as they were able to acquire a young, talented player in Reynolds while also adding some depth to their bullpen with the addition of Crick.
The Giants, meanwhile, were able to receive a solid return for a player who was likely to leave in free agency after the season.
Reynolds’ Impact on the Pirates
Bryan Reynolds has been a major contributor to the Pittsburgh Pirates since his debut with the team in 2019. In his rookie season, Reynolds batted .314 with 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .880 OPS in 134 games. He also finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
In 2020, Reynolds continued to perform at a high level, batting .189 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in the shortened 60-game season.
Despite the lower batting average, he maintained a strong on-base percentage of .275 and had a solid slugging percentage of .357.
Reynolds’ strong performance with the Pirates has made him one of the team’s most valuable players. He has shown the ability to hit for average and power, while also playing solid defense in the outfield. His contributions have been especially important given the struggles of the Pirates in recent seasons.
Looking ahead, Reynolds has the potential to become a star player in the league. He is still young and has already shown that he can be a consistent offensive threat for the Pirates.
As he continues to develop his skills, Reynolds could become one of the best outfielders in the National League and potentially even in all of Major League Baseball.
Bryan Reynolds’ Statistics with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2019-2020)
| Season | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 134 | .314 | 16 | 68 | .880 |
| 2020 | 55 | .189 | 7 | 19 | .632 |
FAQs
What position does Bryan Reynolds play?
Bryan Reynolds primarily plays outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates, although he has also played some first base and designated hitter in his career.
How old is Bryan Reynolds?
As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, Bryan Reynolds was 26 years old. He was born on January 27, 1995.
Has Bryan Reynolds received any awards or honors in his career?
In addition to finishing fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019, Bryan Reynolds was also named the Pirates’ team MVP for the 2019 season. He has not yet received any major individual awards or honors beyond that, but is considered a rising star in the league.
How long is Bryan Reynolds under contract with the Pirates?
As of my knowledge cutoff date, Bryan Reynolds was under team control with the Pirates through the 2025 season. He is eligible for arbitration for the first time in the 2022 offseason.
What are some of Bryan Reynolds’ strengths as a player?
Bryan Reynolds is known for his ability to hit for both average and power, as well as his solid defense in the outfield. He is also known for his work ethic and leadership skills, and is seen as a key player for the Pirates both on and off the field.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Bryan Reynolds in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in 2018, and he has since become one of the team’s most important players.
Reynolds had an impressive college career at Vanderbilt University and quickly proved himself as a top prospect in the Giants organization during his time in the minor leagues.
Since joining the Pirates, Reynolds has been a consistent offensive threat and has contributed greatly to the team’s success.
As he continues to develop his skills, Reynolds has the potential to become one of the best outfielders in the league and a key player for the Pirates for years to come.
