I was not (completely) correct in my analysis.
You might recall my opening day column, referring to the Pirates' "vanilla veterans" and how it was them, not the youngsters, who would limit this team's potential.
https://www.piratesprospects.com/2018/03/gajtka-pirates-potential-capped-more-by-vanilla-veterans-than-youth.html
To my slight surprise, that assessment hasn't been completely accurate to date.
While Jordy Mercer and Iván Nova have been predictably mediocre and George Kontos has been a wreck, other seasoned vets have put in some serious work. Francisco Cervelli has delivered in a big way, harnessing his power potential and -- knock on wood -- staying on the field much more often than not.