What Is 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team

Overview

The 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates struggled through a disappointing season, failing to build on previous years' modest success. After making the playoffs in three of the previous five seasons, the team regressed significantly in 2019, finishing well below .500 and out of postseason contention by midsummer.

Their offensive production lagged behind league averages, and the pitching staff ranked among the worst in the National League. Despite flashes of individual performance, the team lacked consistency and depth, leading to a managerial change and a full-scale roster evaluation by season's end.

• The Pirates finished the 2019 season with a 69–93 record, their worst win total since 2010.
• They played 81 home games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, averaging 23,761 fans per game.
• Manager Clint Hurdle was dismissed on May 28 after a 18–30 start, ending his tenure as the franchise’s longest-serving manager since the 1990s.
• Fred Kirsch was named manager on June 1, becoming the team’s 41st manager in franchise history.
• The team ranked 29th in MLB in runs scored with just 680, averaging 4.2 runs per game.

Performance & Management

The 2019 season was defined by instability, particularly in leadership and player development. Mid-season changes in management and underperforming key players contributed to a lack of momentum and team cohesion throughout the campaign.

• Record: The Pirates went 69–93, finishing 23 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.
• Starting Rotation: The staff had a combined ERA of 4.91, one of the highest in the National League.
• Offensive Leader:Starling Marte led the team with a .301 average, 23 home runs, and 82 RBIs.
• Closing Pitcher:Keone Kela recorded 18 saves but struggled with a 5.11 ERA after joining the team mid-season.
• Top Prospect:Ke’Bryan Hayes made his MLB debut in September, going 2-for-10 in limited action.
• Attendance: Total attendance was 1,924,727, a 6% drop from 2018, reflecting fan disillusionment.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Pirates compared to recent seasons and division rivals:

The table highlights the Pirates’ decline compared to both their 2018 performance and their division rivals in 2019. While the Cardinals and Brewers advanced to the postseason, Pittsburgh fell sharply in both run production and pitching effectiveness. The team’s inability to maintain offensive consistency and develop young arms was a recurring issue throughout the year.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season marked a turning point for the franchise, signaling the end of an era and the beginning of a potential rebuild. With declining attendance and a shift in management philosophy, the Pirates faced increasing pressure to reevaluate their player development and long-term strategy.

• The firing of Clint Hurdle ended a nine-year run that included three playoff appearances but no deep postseason runs.
• Fred Kirsch’s hiring signaled a focus on modern analytics and player development techniques.
• The debut of Ke’Bryan Hayes provided hope for a new generation of homegrown talent.
• Trading veterans like Josh Bell became more likely after the season to acquire prospects.
• The team’s low payroll reflected a shift toward cost control and long-term sustainability.
• Pittsburgh’s struggles highlighted the challenges small-market teams face in maintaining competitiveness.

The 2019 campaign ultimately served as a catalyst for organizational change, setting the stage for a rebuilding phase aimed at restoring competitiveness in the 2020s.