Pirates' projected lineup after Marcell Ozuna signing has Konnor Griffin question

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Pirates' projected lineup after Marcell Ozuna signing has Konnor Griffin question originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten better and better this offseason.

The latest move came Monday, when they signed free agent Marcell Ozuna to add some pop to the DH spot of the lineup.

It continues an offseason that already had additions in the form of hitters Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, Jhostynxon Garcia and Jake Mangum.

For the Pirates, this has been quite busy, and their fans are certainly having hope of bigger things to come when Opening Day arrives.

It's a good time to take a look at how this could all play out.

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Pirates projected batting lineup for 2026​


This lineup doesn't currently include top prospect Konnor Griffin, a shortstop, and it's meant as the group that would face right-handed pitching:

  1. Oneil Cruz CF
  2. Bryan Reynolds RF
  3. Ryan O'Hearn LF
  4. Marcell Ozuna DH
  5. Brandon Lowe 2B
  6. Spencer Horwitz 1B
  7. Jared Triolo 3B
  8. Nick Gonzales SS
  9. Joey Bart C

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There's also a case to be made for leading off one of Reynolds, Lowe or Horwitz, and Lowe could hit higher than fifth in the order in general.

O'Hearn in left field isn't ideal, but Horwitz has to play the infield and Ozuna has to DH.

Against lefties, Horwitz might sit, allowing the young Garcia into the outfield and O'Hearn back to the dirt.

Henry Davis will split catching time with Bart.

And when Griffin is ready, he'll slot in for Gonzales, and once he proves himself, he'll hit in the top third of the order.

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