Projecting the Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 Opening Day Lineup

Oct 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) high-fives teammates during player introductions against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card playoff baseball game at PNC Park. The Cubs won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) high-fives teammates during player introductions against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card playoff baseball game at PNC Park. The Cubs won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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4. Starling Marte LF

Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of praise has been given to McCutchen for the recent success of the Pirates. However, Pittsburgh has another outfielder that has made some big contributions the past couple of years. Starling Marte has kind of been an unknown force in the Pirates lineup.

Marte is batting .286 over the past three seasons and hit a career-high 19 homers in 2015. Marte’s ability to get on-base with a slight uptick in power last season should not go unnoticed. No, he is not a conventional power hitting cleanup option, but the Pirates aren’t a conventional team. Marte is a very good hitter in this league and the Pirates should be happy to have him in their order.

Next: 5. John Jaso 1B