The choice for the best pitcher in the Pirates’ minor league system this year was an easy one to make. That’s not just because there were fewer big performers on the pitching side than the hitting side, but because one pitcher easily stood out above the rest. JT Brubaker is the Pirates Prospects 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Brubaker had a 2.81 ERA in 154 innings this year between Altoona and Indianapolis, spending most of his time in Triple-A. That ERA led all pitchers with more than 70 innings. He also finished second in the system in strikeouts with 131. His 2.6 BB/9 also finished 10th among pitchers with 100+ innings of work.
Brubaker started the season back in Altoona, but was quickly moved up to Indianapolis after putting up a 1.80 ERA in 35 innings. His numbers in Indianapolis were solid, with a 3.10 ERA, a 3.99 xFIP, and a 96:36 K/BB ratio in 119 innings.
He showed improvements with his stuff this year, seeing success with a new cutter, while also showing his usual upper-90s fastball. His control saw improvements, with two of his best walk rate results of his career at any level.
The Pirates didn’t call Brubaker up this year, but he is Rule 5 eligible. They named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and it would be hard to imagine them leaving him unprotected this offseason. He should be a depth option next year, either as rotation depth, or a long-relief option/bullpen depth option out of Triple-A.
Below you will find our Minor League Pitchers of the Year for each level in the farm system, our previous overall award winners, and the 2018 monthly awards.
Previous Pirates Prospects Minor League Pitchers of the Year
2017 – Steven Brault
2016 – Mitch Keller
2015 – Chad Kuhl
2014 – Tyler Glasnow
2013 – Tyler Glasnow
2012 – Jeff Locke
2011 – Kyle McPherson
2018 Pirates Prospects Minor League Pitchers of the Year By Level
Indianapolis – JT Brubaker, RHP (3.10 ERA, 119.0 IP, 96:36 K/BB)
Altoona – Mitch Keller, RHP (2.72 ERA, 86.0 IP, 76:32 K/BB)
Bradenton – James Marvel, RHP (3.68 ERA, 134.1 IP, 100:31 K/BB)
West Virginia – Domingo Robles, LHP (2.97 ERA, 115.0 IP, 88:26 K/BB)
Morgantown – Nicholas Economos, RHP (2.52 ERA, 53.2 IP, 58:18 K/BB)
Bristol – Argenis Romano, RHP (3.03 ERA, 32.2 IP, 30:12 K/BB)
GCL Pirates – Brad Case, RHP (3.38 ERA, 40.0 IP, 33:4 K/BB)
DSL Pirates – Mario Garcia, RHP (1.94 ERA, 46.1 IP, 39:12 K/BB)
2018 Pirates Prospects Pitcher of the Month Awards
April
Overall – JT Brubaker
Indianapolis – Nick Kingham
Altoona – JT Brubaker
Bradenton – Oddy Nunez
West Virginia – Evan Piechota
May
Overall – Eduardo Vera
Indianapolis – Tanner Anderson
Altoona – Taylor Hearn
Bradenton – Eduardo Vera
West Virginia – Blake Weiman
June
Overall – Clay Holmes
Indianapolis – Clay Holmes
Altoona – Mitch Keller
Bradenton – Oddy Nunez
West Virginia – Cody Bolton
July
Overall – Brandon Waddell
Indianapolis – Brandon Waddell
Altoona – Eduardo Vera
Bradenton – James Marvel
West Virginia – Domingo Robles
Morgantown – Cam Alldred
Bristol – Argenis Romano
GCL Pirates – Luis Nova
DSL Pirates – Yeison Santos
August
Overall – Scooter Hightower
Indianapolis – JT Brubaker
Altoona – Scooter Hightower
Bradenton – Jordan Jess
West Virginia – Oddy Nunez
Morgantown – Nicholas Economos
Bristol – Joe Jacques
GCL Pirates – Michael Burrows
DSL Pirates – Mario Garcia
