I will throw this out here one more time that I think former first round pick(31st) Carmen Mlodzinski has the arm for more innings. I think when he broke in the majors he had a high-intensity bull dog mentality which didn't work for multiple innings. Watching his pre-game approach several times last year, his preparation and mentality seems to be more calm and fitted for a starter. I wouldn't mind seeing him stretch out his innings this year to be a piggy-back starter. ( I know I am in the minority on this one.)
The numbers he posted in 2023 were good, and those in 2024 were better. He throws GB's 46.1%, and as a result, an excellently low HR/FB of 5.7%. Low ERA of 3.38, FIP of 3.36, VG +0.6 fWAR. A 26 year old in 2025 with 5 more years of control. He was a SP in College and in the Cape Cod League, but relatively few starts/IP prior to the draft. Bringing him along deliberately has ben a benefit to him.
Bringing him along deilberately has not only been a benefit to him, but a benefit to the Pirates as well. Where the Pirates needs are, Mlodzinski, might just get stuck as a one-inning reliever. I think he can offer more by increasing his innings per-outing, however they decide to do that. Thanks for the response.
I also like the fact that he is a right-hander with solid numbers against righties and even better against lefties. I could be all wrong here but thought as a starter he tried to overpower people.... and that is where the arm trouble came from. (Throwing too hard, not too many innings) The last year or so, it seems he is pitching smarter and not trying to overpower people.
Thanks for responding. I'm a Mlodzinski fan, if you can't tell.
If you check his Statcast data, you can’t help thinking there’s more left. Basically, just a bit more swing and miss, and he could be near elite. Hitters don’t make much decent contact against him. Secondaries need a little improvement.
He hasn’t pitched all that much because he moved to the mound in college and for various reasons didn’t get many innings. He’s thrown just over 400 between college and pro ball. He’s gone a long way in relatively brief playing time.
One thing I didn't add above but probably should have -- The guy in here who seems best suited to a multi-inning relief role is Ferguson, and the Pirates in fact suggested they might get him stretched out.
I’m a fan of Nicolas but o feel that he needs to find himself in AAA, whether is command or refinement of his slider and change. The large platoon split don’t bother me as long as they’re dominating one side, of course they have to be properly use!
I will throw this out here one more time that I think former first round pick(31st) Carmen Mlodzinski has the arm for more innings. I think when he broke in the majors he had a high-intensity bull dog mentality which didn't work for multiple innings. Watching his pre-game approach several times last year, his preparation and mentality seems to be more calm and fitted for a starter. I wouldn't mind seeing him stretch out his innings this year to be a piggy-back starter. ( I know I am in the minority on this one.)
The numbers he posted in 2023 were good, and those in 2024 were better. He throws GB's 46.1%, and as a result, an excellently low HR/FB of 5.7%. Low ERA of 3.38, FIP of 3.36, VG +0.6 fWAR. A 26 year old in 2025 with 5 more years of control. He was a SP in College and in the Cape Cod League, but relatively few starts/IP prior to the draft. Bringing him along deliberately has ben a benefit to him.
Bringing him along deilberately has not only been a benefit to him, but a benefit to the Pirates as well. Where the Pirates needs are, Mlodzinski, might just get stuck as a one-inning reliever. I think he can offer more by increasing his innings per-outing, however they decide to do that. Thanks for the response.
I wish he got more swing and miss as a reliever
I thought about this. He has some history of arm trouble, but throwing two innings shouldn’t push that so much.
I also like the fact that he is a right-hander with solid numbers against righties and even better against lefties. I could be all wrong here but thought as a starter he tried to overpower people.... and that is where the arm trouble came from. (Throwing too hard, not too many innings) The last year or so, it seems he is pitching smarter and not trying to overpower people.
Thanks for responding. I'm a Mlodzinski fan, if you can't tell.
If you check his Statcast data, you can’t help thinking there’s more left. Basically, just a bit more swing and miss, and he could be near elite. Hitters don’t make much decent contact against him. Secondaries need a little improvement.
He hasn’t pitched all that much because he moved to the mound in college and for various reasons didn’t get many innings. He’s thrown just over 400 between college and pro ball. He’s gone a long way in relatively brief playing time.
Good info as he is one of the players I will be looking forward to seeing in Bradenton. Making the trip 2/10 to 3/10 this year.
One thing I didn't add above but probably should have -- The guy in here who seems best suited to a multi-inning relief role is Ferguson, and the Pirates in fact suggested they might get him stretched out.
I like the idea of Ferguson as an Opener a couple times a week. Or Piggyback with Oviedo, as he returns from injury!
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’re consciously keeping that open as an option.
I’m a fan of Nicolas but o feel that he needs to find himself in AAA, whether is command or refinement of his slider and change. The large platoon split don’t bother me as long as they’re dominating one side, of course they have to be properly use!
I love Nicholas. He has the potential to be devastating out of the pen. Agree. Let him figure out a couple things in AAA.
Good piece here!