(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have shockingly started the 2023 season with a 6-3 record.
Yes, you read that right.
You can expect them to crash down to Earth and nobody will blame you.
However, there is no denying that they have been much, much better than expected.
They even have a positive run differential, at +1!
A huge part of their early success can and should be attributed to on-demand slugger Bryan Reynolds.
The 28-year-old is an exciting trade piece for MLB teams should the Pirates not come to terms with him on an extension.
He wants around $130 million, but that number could be on the rise with each passing day considering Reynolds is performing like an MVP candidate at the moment.
In fact, his incredible performance in the first 11 days of the season earned him the National League Player of the Week award.
Bryan Reynolds has been selected as the NL Player of the Week presented by @chevrolet. pic.twitter.com/AYAekDUASX
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 10, 2023
The lefty-hitting outfielder hit an incredible .480 with 12 hits and 12 RBI in just nine games.
His slugging percentage is 1.120.
No, that’s not his OPS: that’s his slugging percentage.
Of course, when you hit five home runs in a span of 11 days, your slugging percentage will look very handsome.
Reynolds has been so good that he has 0.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) already.
The next-best position player on the Pirates is at 0.3.
Reynolds is hitting the ball hard and in the air, evidenced by his league-leading 12 barrels.
A barrel is the ideal batted ball, in terms of exit velocity and launch angle.
It’s safe to say that the Pirates will go as far as Reynolds takes them, especially now that Oneil Cruz is out for four months.
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