If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to have a winning or contending season in 2024, the results are going to require more than 26 players. Their depth was seen as a strong point heading into the season, and it is that depth which will fuel them when the starters get injured or fade throughout the long year.
The season is only a month old, but here are five depth options who have stood out early for the 2024 Pirates.
Hunter Stratton, RHP
Hunter Stratton made the Opening Day roster after injuries to Carmen Mlodzinski and Colin Holderman. The Pirates have since brought back Holderman, but when Mlodzinski was healthy, the right-hander went to Triple-A, with Stratton remaining in the majors.
The reason for Stratton remaining is simple: Results. He’s got a 3.07 ERA and a 3.50 FIP in 14.2 innings of work. That innings total ranks second in the Pirates’ bullpen, behind long-reliever Luis Ortiz. Behind the numbers, Stratton is showing a lot of indicators that the numbers are legit. This can be shown from a quick look at his Baseball Savant profile.
Stratton brings elite control, and a lot of swing and miss. That’s led by a 95 MPH fastball with a 33.3% whiff rate, and a slider that has an elite 70.6% whiff rate. Stratton entered the season as depth, but has established himself early on as a reliable and productive member of the bullpen.
Alika Williams, SS/2B
Last year, the Pirates traded reliever Robert Stephenson to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting upper level infielder Alika Williams in return. Following the trade, Williams showed improved offense in Triple-A, hitting for a .305/.384/.531 line. He didn’t carry that offense over to the majors, which was a disappointment as Stephenson turned into one of the best relievers in the game with Tampa. That came from an increased usage of the splitter, and with Stephenson out all of 2024 with a right elbow injury, I’m not sure the short-term success was worth the long-term payoff.
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s featured column for Patreon subscribers looks at the below-average offense of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the idea of replacing hitting coach Andy Haines as a solution.
**Williams: The Pirates Are Severely Lacking on Offense
Jared Jones has been putting up better numbers than any Pirates rookie I can remember for decades. I looked at the early results from the right-hander, who is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
**Jared Jones is Having a Special Start to His MLB Career
The Pirates drafted Henry Davis first overall in 2021, with hopes of getting a power hitting catcher. He’s not hitting for power this year, and grades below-average behind the plate, which might necessitate a change.
**Henry Davis Has Questions on Both Sides of His Game
Paul Skenes is schedule for a two-start week this week, for the first time in his pro career. As the top prospect gets to a regular workload, I look at when he might arrive in the Majors, and how many innings he might throw.
**When Will Paul Skenes Arrive in the Majors?
The Pirates went with Jared Triolo as their starting second baseman out of Spring Training, which was a move that was deserved. After his early results, and early results from Nick Gonzales in Triple-A, they might need to make a change.
**Jared Triolo Looks Like a Major Leaguer, But Not a Starter
Depth is going to be crucial for the 2024 Pirates to have a winning season. They’ve already seen a few players step up to contribute in the Majors. I looked at five depth options who have excelled this year, led by RHP Hunter Stratton.
**Five Depth Options Who Have Excelled For the 2024 Pirates – READING
