Pirates Veteran On Club’s Bright Future: ‘This Team Is Really Close’

At 54-74, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t played like a playoff team this year. Their offense isn’t where it needs to be, ranking among the worst in baseball in several categories.

The Pirates have shown flashes of progress, however. They took two of three from the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays this week and are 15-13 over their last 28 games despite selling at the MLB Trade Deadline.

Pittsburgh also has one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Led by NL Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes, the Pirates entered play on Wednesday with the 10th-most pitching WAR (13.2) in baseball, according to FanGraphs. Their rotation has been particularly strong, ranking seventh in WAR (9.7) and 11th in ERA (3.93).

Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, who joined Pittsburgh on a one-year, $4.03 million deal last offseason, has been impressed by Pittsburgh’s pitching staff this season.

I asked Tommy Pham about the young power arms the Pirates have accumulated. He said he thinks they have "a playoff pitching staff" … and then proceeded to say a bunch more. pic.twitter.com/NRugGxUr2S

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) August 20, 2025

“I told (general manager Ben Cherington) at the deadline my thoughts about this organization. One thing I mentioned is how we have a playoff pitching staff,” Pham told Pirates reporter Jason Mackey after Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. “People can laugh at me all they want, but this team is really close.”

The stats support Pham there, as Pittsburgh’s pitching staff rates above average. With better run support, the Pirates could be a playoff team.

While Pittsburgh is headed for its seventh straight losing season, Pham has seen signs of improvement this year and is encouraged by the club’s perseverance.

“There’s a lot to like here…Things are starting to change here for the better,” said Pham, who’s noticed his teammates being more disciplined at the plate and having better-quality at-bats. “We’re getting better at it. It’s taking some time.”

At 37 years old, Pham has been one of the Pirates’ clubhouse leaders and top offensive performers this season. He added that he and other veterans like Andrew McCutchen have tried to help their younger teammates learn and grow this year.

Thanks to its talented arms, Pittsburgh is trending in the right direction. If the front office adds some impact bats this winter, a postseason run could be in the cards next year.

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