INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Jeremy Beasley joined the Pirates last week in a last minute deadline trade for cash.
It’s a deal that could fly under the radar for most — except Beasley, who had a bit of prophesy this past offseason.
In sitting down with his fiancé, they planned out everything that Beasley needed to stick in the big leagues. Along with limiting his walks, Beasley made a list of the ideal bullpen situations where he fit the best.
The number one team atop his list: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
While he pitched in the big leagues with the Blue Jays, there are a lot of long-term roles already claimed. In the Pirates, he sees his shot.
“There is a lot of opportunity [in Pittsburgh],” Beasley said. “I really hope that I can seize one of those spots. It’s a great team. There is a lot of upside and a lot of talent. From Triple-A to [Pittsburgh] there is a lot of talent. Hopefully, I can be a piece of that.”
The biggest weapon that Beasley has to offer is his splitter. He has plenty of experience with the pitch, as he’s worked with it since he was 16. Additionally, the pitch has earned him a reputation among hitters. Mixing with his elevated four-seamer creates a nice mix.
“With the splitter, it is kind of my bread and butter,” Beasley said. “Whenever I get a guy to 0-2, they know they are going to have to see it or my fastball at 97 at the top of the zone. Either-or, it’s a tough at bat when you see the fastball and the splitter. On top of that, I have the big sweeper (slider).”
Beasley mixes in the aforementioned slider. However, he admits that he was bitten with the home run a bit because he is still learning how to best master the pitch. Lately, he has gotten to the point he is locating much better.
Something else that has made waves for Beasley is how competitive he is on the hill. He fully embraces that mantra as well.
“I try to look at it as, I’m always in a tunnel when I am on the mound,” Beasley said. “I think about one thing, and one thing only. That’s striking guys out or getting through the inning as fast as possible. I feel like there is an anger to it. I kind of channel it a little bit. I’ll grunt loud, I’m going to cuss at a few of them. I’m going to give them everything I’ve got. I think that’s just my dad coming out in me. I’m just not going to let these guys beat me.”
Beasley saw a large spike in velocity after starting his pro career, which led to an uncharacteristic coinciding spike in walks last season. He was still striking hitters out at a huge rate, but he thinks that he was giving big league and upper level hitters too much respect.
Part of that offseason session with his fiancé was about trusting his stuff and realizing that he belongs. The numbers show in 2022 this is true.
Beasley takes aggressiveness and fearlessness to the bump, with a solid pitch mix included. The only question is if he is able to translate it all to the big leagues.
