The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Last Postseason Run: A Look Back at 2015 and Where the Players Are Now

In 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates were riding high, making their third consecutive trip to the postseason. The team had put together a remarkable 98-win season, finishing second in the NL Central behind the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite their strong record, the Pirates faced a tough task in the National League Wild Card Game against the surging Chicago Cubs, led by a young Jake Arrieta, who was in the midst of a historically dominant second half of the season. Unfortunately for the Pirates, the postseason would end in heartbreak, as they were shut out by the Cubs, 4-0.

This game marked the end of an era for the Pirates, as the team has not returned to the postseason since. However, the 2015 roster featured a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, many of whom have since moved on to new chapters in their baseball careers. Let’s take a look at what has happened to the key players from that 2015 squad.

Key Players and Their Journeys After 2015

Andrew McCutchen

Andrew McCutchen was the heart and soul of the 2015 Pirates, earning his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and his fifth consecutive top-five finish in MVP voting. After leaving Pittsburgh in 2018, McCutchen had stints with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies. In 2023, McCutchen made a celebrated return to the Pirates, bringing his career full circle and serving as a veteran presence on a young team.

Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole, the Pirates’ ace in 2015, became one of the best pitchers in baseball after leaving Pittsburgh. Traded to the Houston Astros in 2018, Cole played a pivotal role in their World Series run that year. He then signed a record-breaking contract with the New York Yankees in 2019, where he continues to be a dominant force on the mound.

Starling Marte

Starling Marte was another key contributor to the Pirates’ success in 2015. He remained with the Pirates until 2020, when he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Marte has since played for the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and New York Mets. As of 2024, Marte is still an impactful player, known for his speed and defense.

Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano was a steady presence in the Pirates’ rotation in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, Liriano had brief stints with several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers. He returned to the Pirates in 2019 before retiring from baseball in 2022.

Neil Walker

A Pittsburgh native, Neil Walker was the Pirates’ starting second baseman in 2015. After that season, Walker was traded to the New York Mets, where he continued to be a productive player. He later played for the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins, and Philadelphia Phillies before retiring in 2020.

Jung Ho Kang

Jung Ho Kang was a breakout star for the Pirates in 2015, but his career was derailed by off-field issues and injuries. Kang returned to the Pirates briefly in 2018 but struggled to regain his form. He last played in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) in 2020 before effectively retiring from professional baseball.

Pedro Álvarez

Pedro Álvarez was the Pirates’ power-hitting first baseman in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, he signed with the Baltimore Orioles, where he played primarily as a designated hitter. Álvarez retired from baseball after the 2018 season.

Russell Martin

Russell Martin was a veteran leader behind the plate for the Pirates. After leaving Pittsburgh in 2014, Martin played for the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring in 2020. Martin is now enjoying retirement but remains a beloved figure in baseball circles.

Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon was one of the top closers in baseball during his time with the Pirates. After being traded in 2016, Melancon played for the Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres. He has continued to be an effective reliever and, as of 2024, is still active in MLB.

Josh Harrison

Josh Harrison was a versatile and energetic player for the Pirates in 2015. He left the team after the 2018 season and played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and Oakland Athletics. As of 2024, Harrison is a free agent but remains involved in baseball.

J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ joined the Pirates midway through the 2015 season and became a key part of their rotation down the stretch. After his time in Pittsburgh, Happ signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he enjoyed a career resurgence. He continued to pitch effectively with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring after the 2021 season.

Arquimedes Caminero

A hard-throwing reliever, Arquimedes Caminero was a key bullpen piece for the Pirates in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, Caminero pitched in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants. He later returned to the United States, attempting to make a comeback in the minors, but has not returned to MLB since.

Charlie Morton

Though better known now, Charlie Morton was still relatively under the radar in 2015. After his time with the Pirates, Morton found considerable success, particularly after joining the Houston Astros, where he played a crucial role in their 2017 World Series victory. He later became a key starter for the Tampa Bay Rays, helping them reach the World Series in 2020. As of 2024, Morton continues to pitch at a high level with the Atlanta Braves.

Jordy Mercer

Jordy Mercer was the Pirates’ starting shortstop in 2015, known for his steady defense and occasional pop at the plate. After leaving Pittsburgh following the 2018 season, Mercer played for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Nationals. Mercer announced his retirement in 2021 and has since transitioned into a coaching role within the Tigers’ organization.

Sean Rodriguez

A versatile utility player, Sean Rodriguez was a valuable bench piece for the Pirates in 2015. Rodriguez stayed with the Pirates until 2017 before having stints with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Miami Marlins. After retiring, Rodriguez joined the Phillies’ front office in a player development role.

Francisco Cervelli

Francisco Cervelli, the Pirates’ primary catcher in 2015, was known for his leadership and strong defensive skills. After leaving Pittsburgh in 2019, he played briefly for the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins before retiring in 2020 due to concussion-related issues. Cervelli has since transitioned into a coaching role, serving as the catching coach for the San Diego Padres.

Jared Hughes

Jared Hughes was a dependable reliever for the Pirates, known for his ground-ball-inducing sinker. After leaving Pittsburgh, Hughes pitched for several teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets. Hughes announced his retirement in 2021 and has since pursued interests outside of baseball.

Tony Watson

Tony Watson was one of the Pirates’ most reliable relievers in 2015. He continued to be a valuable bullpen arm for the Pirates until he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. Watson later pitched for the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring after the 2021 season.

Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart was the backup catcher to Francisco Cervelli in 2015, known for his defense and handling of the pitching staff. After leaving the Pirates, Stewart briefly played for the Atlanta Braves before retiring. He has since worked in various capacities within MLB organizations, including scouting and player development roles.

Josh Harrison

As mentioned earlier, Harrison was a versatile player for the Pirates, and his career continued with several teams after leaving Pittsburgh. He has remained active in baseball, most recently playing for the Chicago White Sox in 2023.

Vance Worley

Vance Worley, known for his role as a spot starter and reliever, played a crucial part in the Pirates’ rotation depth in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, Worley played for the Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins before his MLB career ended. He has since pitched in independent leagues and attempted a few comebacks.

Joakim Soria

Joakim Soria joined the Pirates at the 2015 trade deadline to bolster their bullpen. A veteran closer with experience, Soria went on to pitch for several other teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Arizona Diamondbacks, before retiring after the 2021 season.

Antonio Bastardo

Antonio Bastardo was a left-handed reliever for the Pirates in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, he had brief stints with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies before fading from the MLB scene. Bastardo’s career was marked by inconsistency, and he has not been active in professional baseball in recent years.

Travis Ishikawa

Travis Ishikawa, who is best remembered for his heroics with the San Francisco Giants in 2014, was a bench player for the Pirates in 2015. After leaving Pittsburgh, Ishikawa had brief minor league stints before retiring in 2016. He has since worked as a minor league coach within the Giants’ organization.

The 2015 Wild Card Game: A Turning Point

The 2015 Wild Card Game against the Chicago Cubs was a tough pill to swallow for Pirates fans. Jake Arrieta, the Cubs’ ace, was nearly unhittable, and the Pirates’ offense, which had been so potent all season, was stifled. This game marked the third consecutive Wild Card Game appearance for the Pirates, and despite their regular-season success, they were unable to advance further in the postseason.

This loss also signaled the beginning of a decline for the Pirates, as the team failed to maintain its competitive edge in subsequent seasons. The core of the 2013-2015 teams gradually departed, leading to a rebuilding phase that the franchise is still navigating.

Looking Back

The 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates were a team full of talent and potential, but they ultimately fell short of their World Series aspirations. The players from that squad have since scattered across the baseball world, with some continuing to make an impact in the major leagues, while others have transitioned into retirement or new roles within the sport. As the Pirates look to build a new era of success, the legacy of the 2015 team remains a bittersweet memory for the fans who witnessed their last postseason run.