Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna's 2025 campaign marked a steep regression from his elite 2023-2024 peak, as his slash line fell to .232/.355/.400 with 21 home runs across 592 plate appearances. While his 15.9% walk rate buoyed his OBP, his power indicators slipped considerably — including a drop to a .168 ISO, 3.5% HR rate, and a career-low 89.9 mph average exit velocity. After posting rOBA marks of .384 and .394 the previous two seasons, he dipped to .342 (118 Rbat+), signaling a clear step back from middle-of-the-order dominance. Now eligible only at DH with the Pirates, Ozuna's lack of positional flexibility further caps his fantasy utility. He profiles as a fantasy faller, with 2026 projections pointing toward solid but no-longer-elite power production more in line with a mid-tier corner bat than a foundational fantasy piece.

Marcell Ozuna signs with Pirates on one-year deal

Veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna is signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal worth $12 million. The contract will become official pending his physical.

Fantasy Impact

After losing out on several big name free agents this offseason, the Pirates "settle" on Ozuna, who will still provide a significant upgrade to Pittsburgh's lineup. Ozuna had a down year last year, batting just .232 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 games. However, Ozuna's 21 home runs would have led Pittsburgh a season ago. The slugger is four home runs shy of 300 for his career and is just two years removed from a fourth-place finish in the MVP voting when he batted .302 with 39 home runs and 104 RBI with the Braves. Ozuna, strictly a designated hitter at this point, will be immediately slotted into the middle of the Pirates' lineup and could very easily return to his career averages of a .270 average, 30 home runs, and 95 RBI.