The Pittsburgh Pirates' Pitching Predicament: A Rotation in Flux
The Pirates are in a bind. After a disappointing season, they've been busy bolstering their batting lineup, but this has left their pitching rotation in a state of uncertainty. With the departure of two young starters, the team is now scrambling to fill the void at the back end of their rotation. But here's where it gets intriguing: the solution might not be as straightforward as signing a new starter.
The Pirates' offseason moves have been primarily focused on improving their offense, which is understandable given their struggles in that department last season. They acquired Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum in a three-way trade, sending away Mike Burrows, and also traded Johan Oviedo for Jhostynxon Garcia. These trades have left a gap in their pitching staff that needs addressing.
The locks for the rotation are Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller, with Braxton Ashcraft likely claiming the fourth spot. Ashcraft, a young right-handed pitcher, has shown promise in his transition from a multi-inning reliever to a starter. In his final nine appearances, he demonstrated control, allowing two earned runs or fewer in all but one outing.
The fifth spot, however, is where the controversy begins. Jared Jones, a promising right-hander, underwent UCL surgery in May, and while he's making good progress, he's unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. This leaves a temporary opening, and possibly a longer-term opportunity for the right candidate.
One option is Carmen Mlodzinski, who made the most starts among the current Pirates pitchers last season, excluding Skenes and Keller. However, his performance as a starter has been inconsistent, with an ERA of over 5.00 in his first nine starts. Mlodzinski's numbers suggest he might be better suited for a versatile role rather than a permanent spot in the rotation.
The rookies, Thomas Harrington and Hunter Barco, are wild cards. Both made their debuts last season but have a long way to go. Harrington struggled at Triple-A, with a high ERA and a low strikeout rate, while Barco had control issues despite impressive swing-and-miss numbers. Barco's brief success with the Pirates at the end of the season might give him a slight edge, and he would also provide the team with a left-handed pitcher.
The Pirates' recent history suggests they might look to a veteran left-hander to fill the role. Jose Quintana, Martín Pérez, and Tyler Anderson have all filled this role in recent years. Patrick Corbin, who had a resurgence in Texas last season, could be a candidate. While his age might be a concern, PNC Park has been a haven for soft-tossing lefties in the past.
As the Pirates navigate this pitching puzzle, the question remains: will they stick with their young talent or bring in a seasoned veteran? And this is the part most people miss—is there a hidden gem in their current roster who could step up and secure that fifth spot? The answer could shape the Pirates' season and provide a fascinating storyline for fans to follow.
