Early injuries putting pitching depth to the test
Trades and injuries have thinned lower level pitching.
It’s been an interesting start to the season regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching system. While they have some of the best pitching prospects in the game, they are also being tested depth-wise, especially in the lower levels.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, especially with pitchers. It’s been an unfortunate storm brewing, as injuries mount early on. Between Altoona, all the way down to Bradenton, there are 15 pitchers currently on the injured list.
The length breaks down like this, one full-season, eight seven-day, and six 60-day.
This doesn’t count anyone who was placed on the major league injured list (which has its own growing list) or in the Complex League, which has a few, but the season hasn’t started yet.
If you include the major league IL, the total on the 60-day injured list would be 10.
Here’s a look at the lists as they currently stand, with Carlos Castillo recently being added:
Full Season
LHP Jacob Bimbi
7-Day IL
RHP Carlos Castillo
RHP Zander Mueth
RHP Brandan Bidois
LHP Magdiel Cotto
RHP Cristofer Melendez
LHP Tyler Samaniego
LHP Anthony Solometo
RHP Sean Sullivan
60-Day IL
RHP Danny Carrion
RHP Owen Kellington
LHP Yoldin De La Paz
RHP Joshua Loeschorn
LHP Dominic Perachi
RHP Carlson Reed
Luckily for the Pirates, Brandan Bidois and Sean Sullivan have begun their rehab and pitched in Bradenton recently.
The effects have hurt the Marauders, specifically. They have traditionally worked with a six-man rotation, but the situation has forced them to get a little creative.
Just 20 games in, they have already used eight different starters, seven of whom have made multiple turns in the rotation.
With David Matoma also coming up over the weekend, you have to wonder if that was planned or if it was forced upon them to get some fresh arms in there.
His age would have made him part of the 2024 draft class as a prep pitcher. Levi Sterling is starting in the FCL this year, as did Michael Kennedy and Zander Mueth in previous seasons.
It hasn’t just been injuries that have thinned things out in the lower levels. The Pirates have traded six pitchers from their last three draft classes, including three from 2024.
Those three would have likely started in Bradenton, one as a starter.
Granted, they have been to help the major league team—Joey Bart was acquired for Austin Strickland. Joe Vogatsky was traded for Enmanuel Valdez, a welcome surprise in the Pirates’ lineup this year.
Patrick Reilly landed Billy Cook. In addition to the recent draft picks, Quinn Priester was used to acquire Nick Yorke.
Matt McShane netted them Chase Shugart, also a welcome addition but out of the bullpen.
So, with so much depth cleared out of the system, it has shown a bit, as Bradenton has struggled out of the gate, mostly due to the pitching.
It created some opportunities but also showed how quickly depth can thin out, even in a system considered to be among the deepest.
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OTOH, we traded Ortiz, Hartle, and M Kennedy to get Spencer Horwitz. Looking forward to seeing a topic dedicated to his rehab at PC or elsewhere. I know that rehab from a wrist injury is not easy, but this Pirate lineup could use another hitter from the left side. And, in the process we found Enmanuel Valdez who has proved to be a valuable asset! Not the most agile defender at 1B, but he can hit!