If the Pirates’ lineup was truly built to exploit the dimensions of PNC Park, their home venue could serve as a valuable asset. Instead, the numbers tell a different story. 

The Pirates ranked 27th last season among teams in Major League Baseball with just 47 home runs from left-handed batters against right-handed pitching — a glaring weakness with a home ballpark designed to reward left-handed power.

Since Ben Cherington took over in November 2019, the Pirates’ left-handed production against righties has steadily eroded:

2020 (shortened season): 35 HR, 4th in MLB
2021: 74 HR, tied 7th
2022: 88 HR, tied 1st
2023: 77 HR, 11th
2024: 63 HR, 18th

The acquisition of Jhostynxon Garcia from Boston adds intrigue. Scouting reports highlight his “power to the opposite field,” a trait that fits Cherington’s stated blueprint for PNC Park. As Cherington told me previously: “Left-handed hitters are going to generally benefit from playing here more than right-handed hitters… we need to think about what style of right-handed hitter is going to thrive here? What style of left-handed hitter is going to thrive here?”

Garcia appears to be the right-handed profile they covet, but who will provide the left-handed punch?

I reviewed the 2025 spray charts and Baseball Savant’s expected home runs for PNC Park for the top six remaining left-handed free agents who can play the outfield to identify which hitters had more power to right field to take advantage of the short dimensions over the Clemente Wall.

First, Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker are in the unlikely to sign category since both will be looking for long-term offers above $30 million per season. Bellinger pulled all 29 home runs to the right of second base and 24 of his batted balls would have left PNC Park. Tucker’s power dropped down to 22 last season, but he would have netted two additional home runs based on PNC Park’s dimensions.

The second tier would be Mike Yastrzemski and Ryan O’Hearn, both of whom are better suited to play right field or serve as designated hitter. Yastrzemski is probably the cheaper of the two, though that comes with less power as he hit 17 home runs last season, and only 11 would’ve cleared PNC Park’s fences. O’Hearn saw a similar drop, hitting 17 home runs with 12 that would’ve been good at home.

The third group are two players — Michael Conforto and Max Kepler — the team should have been after last winter for interim solutions but should be the cheaper option if a platoon situation with Garcia is in the cards.

Conforto hit nine of his 12 home runs to right and 12 of his batted balls would have been gone at PNC Park. He struggled overall, hitting .199 that was well below his .245 career average and his .637 OPS far from his .785 average.

Kepler would’ve hit 15 of his 18 home runs out at PNC Park and though he had a better season than Conforto, his .691 OPS was down from his .741 career average.

If the team decides the free agent market for left-handed hitting outfielders isn’t going to fit or fully address the team’s needs, they’ll need to either entertain trading for someone or possibly address the need at other positions such as DH, second base, or third base.

The Pirates have pitching to move and there are other players featured on top-100 prospect lists like Garcia that are on teams with deep lineups such as the Giants (Bryce Eldridge), Orioles (Dylan Beavers), Cubs (Owen Cassie), Yankees (Spencer Jones) and Phillies (Justin Crawford).

They could also look for more established players since the team has been connected to reports involving Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Lowe, and Ketel Marte. They also have been linked to free agents Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Polanco.

Garcia’s addition is a step toward tailoring the roster to PNC Park. But without a legitimate left-handed power bat or two, the Pirates risk wasting their most natural advantage. The Clemente Wall is waiting — now it’s up to Cherington to find someone who can clear it.