Pittsburgh Pirates relievers off to strong start this spring
Bullpen looking deep with plenty of options
It’s hard to take spring results seriously, especially this early into games, but the Pirates have seen a lot of success so far from the bullpen.
Which ones? All of them to this point.
Looking at the players listed on the 40-man and on the non-roster list on the team’s official website, the ones most likely to end up as a reliever (so counting Caleb Ferguson and Carmen Mlodzinski, for now) have put together strong starts to Grapefruit League games.
The 16 pitchers have combined to surrender just seven earned runs in 41 innings, for a collective 1.53 ERA.
Here are some notables to this point:
Trying it as a starter
Carmen Mlodzinski: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, K
Caleb Ferguson: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, BB, 4 K
Both Carmen Mlodzinski and Caleb Ferguson are getting an opportunity to get work on a starter’s schedule, with little guarantee of a spot in the rotation due to the current depth the Pirates have. They’ve fared well, for the most part, but also make up three of the seven earned runs the group has allowed.
40-man roster relievers
Kyle Nicolas: 3 IP, H, 4 BB, K (has allowed an unearned run)
Dennis Santana: 3 IP, K
Peter Strzelecki: 3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 3 K
David Bednar: 2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 3 K
Colin Holderman: 2 IP, 3 H, ER, K
Tim Mayza: 2 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Chase Shugart: 3 IP, 4 H, K
Joey Wentz: 2 IP, BB
Nicolas has looked, like Kyle Nicolas, showing some unhittable stuff but has also walked four batters. Dennis Santana has been super efficient, needing just 22 pitches to get through his three innings this spring.
Peter Strzelecki may be more of a long shot right now, but the stuff has looked good early on, striking out three in as many innings. Tim Mayza has pitched twice so far, but has four strikeouts. Realistically it will likely be between him and Joey Wentz for that second left-handed reliever spot in the bullpen.
Non-roster pitchers
Tanner Rainey: 3 IP, H, 5 K
Ryan Borucki: 2 IP, H, 4 BB, 2 K (unearned run)
Carson Fulmer: 3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 2 K
Yohan Ramirez: 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K
Eddy Yean: 2 IP, H, BB, K
Ryder Ryan: IP, H
The standouts from this group are easily Tanner Rainey and Eddy Yean, who combined to get the win and save, respectively, on Saturday against the Orioles.
Rainey has struck out five batters in three innings, allowing just one hit and hasn’t walked anyone. Yean, one of the pieces from the Josh Bell trade, has looked good in his two appearances this spring, getting his fastball up to 97 mph and throwing it in the zone.
The Pirates went into last year expecting the bullpen to be their strength, with it faltering early and often.
Tempering expectations is still the best approach, but they’ve shown the potential to have a very deep group of relievers, with some intriguing names likely heading to Indianapolis to start things off.
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Looking at the 40, if anyone is added to the roster the next cuts are likely coming from the “hitting” side, with Delay, Bae and Peguero the most likely names.