Garrett McMillan could fill multiple roles in 2025 in Pirates' system
Former 14th round pick had strong debut season in Pirates' organization
During the 2022 and 2023 draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates took a heavy approach towards college pitching. One was Garrett McMillan, taken out of Alabama in the 14th round (signed for $150,000).
There wasn’t much thought over McMillan, especially after starting in the bullpen with Bradenton to begin the 2024 season.
He turned some heads with his pitching there, posting a 2.92 ERA (3.64 xFIP) and 53 strikeouts in 49.1 innings. He also kept the walks down, which generally isn’t seen from relievers in Single-A, posting a 4.9% walk rate.
McMillan throws with good extension and has a better vertical approach than someone with his release point (higher than average, which generally doesn’t lend to a flatter VAA).
That allowed him to get a 29.1% whiff rate with it despite an average velocity of 91.7 and using it over 50% of the time.
The fact that he could throw three other pitches over 10% of the time out of the bullpen also kept hitters guessing.
He jumped up to Greensboro and pitched even better. In seven games (three starts), McMillan allowed just one earned run in 21 innings pitched, striking out 28 batters to just four walks.
The strikeout rate jumped pitching in Greensboro (34.6%), while the walks decreased (4.9%).
It will be interesting to see how the Pirates use McMillan. He will be 24 when Opening Day 2025 rolls around, and he pitched well enough that you could make a case that he could move straight to Altoona.
He also showed some pitchability in Greensboro, especially in the games he was stretched out to four innings as a starter.
Could the Pirates give him an opportunity to start in 2025? That would likely lead to him starting in Greensboro. If he continues in his multi-inning relief role, he’s a guy that could go straight to Altoona, given his age and performance in 2024.
That seems like a good problem to have from a 14th-round pick.
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This is why I’m a daily reader of Bucs on Deck. I had literally never heard of this guy.
Get him to Altoona and see how he does.
I wrote a piece that might be pie-in-the-sky for NMR or Wilbur. It's called '25 Is the Year of Pitchburgh! Enjoy!
https://www.cultureandcriticism.com/post/25-is-the-year-of-pitchburgh