Pirates Newcomer Elaborates On Bold 2023 Orioles Comparison
· Yahoo Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired several new stars this offseason, including All-Star first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. O’Hearn inked a two-year, $29 million contract with the Pirates in December, becoming the first free agent to sign a multi-year deal with the organization in nine years.
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O’Hearn recently compared his new team to the 2023 Baltimore Orioles, whom he was a part of. Loaded with young talent, that team won 101 games and the AL East. It also dramatically improved from 2022, winning 18 additional games, so that’s high praise for Pittsburgh.
The veteran slugger elaborated on his comments in a recent interview with SportsNet Pittsburgh reporter Hannah Mears at spring training this week.
“I see a quiet, confident group that expects to win. Not so much worried about outside opinions…more focus internally on what we’re gonna do,” O’Hearn told Mears. “We’ve got a lot of young players that are ready to take that next step, especially on the pitching side, and then some new veterans added.”
Ryan O'Hearn elaborated on why he feels this 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates team reminds him of the 2023 Orioles team! #LetsGoBucs@SNPittsburghpic.twitter.com/wRGM8Cc8L5
— Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) February 27, 2026
O’Hearn also noted similarities in the clubhouse and overall atmosphere between the two teams.
“Just the vibe in there. It’s just quiet, confident. Guys are loose, having fun. And then when it’s time to get to work, everyone seems to lock it in,” O’Hearn continued.
“I don’t know what it is. That’s my best effort at describing it,” O’Hearn added. “I feel some similarities to that group back in ’23.”
The Pirates are projected to improve considerably this year, but it would take a massive leap to win that many games and the division after finishing 20 games below .500 and last in the NL Central last season. Perhaps a better comparison would be the 2022 Orioles, who won 83 games, competed for a playoff spot and earned their first winning season since 2016.
Pittsburgh fans would gladly take either of those outcomes. Regardless, O’Hearn’s comparison to those Baltimore teams is encouraging.
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