This offensive situation starts with severely misdirected priorities.

The Pirates’ primary offensive dilemma stems from a lack of clear direction in both coaching and player recruitment. This deficiency is exacerbated by the organization’s apparent prioritization of safeguarding their established procedures over the success of individual players or the team as a whole.

Moreover, their public response to this issue appears to focus solely on discussing player performance rather than addressing underlying systemic problems. Despite glaring issues with hitting instruction and philosophy, there’s a conspicuous absence of accountability from key figures like Ben Cherington, Derek Shelton, and Andy Haines.

For instance, when questioned about struggling players like Henry Davis, Shelton emphasizes the need for adjustments without acknowledging the recurring pattern of promising young hitters being demoted after encountering difficulties with the Pirates.

When pressed about the lack of progress or discussion regarding changes in coaching methods or philosophy, Shelton deflects by highlighting the team’s overall work ethic and the ongoing tough stretch they’re facing.

However, this “tough stretch” extends beyond a mere slump and spans multiple seasons during which the Pirates have consistently ranked last in runs scored across the majors. Despite this dismal performance, there’s a notable absence of accountability from the front office, coaching staff, and management.

Even top draft picks like Termarr Johnson are not immune to the organization’s struggles, as evidenced by his underwhelming performance in the minor leagues despite his initial promise.

After five years under the current leadership, it’s clear that there’s a significant failure to deliver results. The organization’s record, lack of division standings, and struggles within the minor league system underscore the pervasive issues within the organization.

In summary, the Pirates’ offensive woes are symptomatic of deeper structural issues within the organization, compounded by a lack of accountability and failure to address systemic problems.