Pirates Release Former 26-Homer Outfielder After Major Regression

Jack Suwinski, once a promising slugger, is being designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates after two seasons of steep decline.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment, parting ways with the former 26-homer slugger after he struggled mightily over the past two seasons. Suwinski hit .224 with 26 home runs in 2023, but his production plummeted in 2024 and 2025, with batting averages below .200 and OPS figures under .600.

Why it matters

Suwinski's rapid decline is a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of player development in baseball. The Pirates are moving on from the 27-year-old in hopes of finding more consistent production in their outfield as they look to build a competitive roster.

The details

After a promising 2023 season in which he hit 26 home runs, Jack Suwinski's performance cratered in 2024 and 2025. In 88 games in 2024, he hit just .182 with 9 home runs and a .588 OPS. His struggles continued in 2025, when he hit .147 with a .534 OPS in 53 major league games. While he performed better in the minors, hitting .283 with a .954 OPS in Triple-A, Suwinski's major league woes made him expendable for the Pirates, who are now designating him for assignment.

  • In the 2023 MLB season, Suwinski hit 26 home runs and put up 2.1 bWAR with a .224 batting average and .793 OPS.
  • In 2024, Suwinski hit just .182 with 9 home runs and a .588 OPS in 88 games.
  • In 2025, Suwinski hit .147 with a .534 OPS in 53 major league games, the worst hitting season of his career.

The players

Jack Suwinski

A 27-year-old outfielder who was once a promising slugger for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting 26 home runs in 2023, but has since experienced a major regression in his performance over the past two seasons.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The MLB team that is designating Jack Suwinski for assignment after his struggles the past two seasons, as they look to rebuild their outfield with more consistent production.

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What they’re saying

“Sources: The Pirates are designating Jack Suwinski for assignment.”

— Robert Murray, Reporter (Fansided.com)

What’s next

Suwinski will now have a chance to join a new team for the 2026 season after being designated for assignment by the Pirates.

The takeaway

Suwinski's rapid decline from a 26-homer season to back-to-back disastrous campaigns illustrates the unpredictable nature of player development in baseball. The Pirates are moving on, hoping to find more consistent production in their outfield as they look to build a competitive roster.