The Pirates have the potential for one of the best bullpens in the game. David Bednar has been one of the best relievers over the last few years, while Aroldis Chapman has one of the best strikeout rates during this time. So far in the young 2024 season, the Pirates have yet to get both pitchers on track at the same time.
Bednar opened the year with three blown saves, before looking like he bounced back on Friday with an authoritative save.
The Pirates had Chapman performing up until this point. The free agent addition blew a save on Saturday night, and picked up the loss on Monday with three runs allowed in less than an inning.
Things were looking good for a brief time on Monday against the Mets. The sixth inning began with no score, and Martin Perez wrapping up five shutout frames. The Pirates played small ball in a long top of the sixth inning, picking up three runs. Perez gave that back in the bottom half of the inning, running into the same small ball onslaught.
When Chapman entered the game in the eighth inning, the score was tied 3-3. Chapman allowed a walk, a hit, and a runner to reach base on a wild strike three that Henry Davis tried to backhand in the dirt. The strike three would have been the second out of the inning with no one on base. Instead, Chapman followed it with a walk, and after a double steal, he had runners on second and third with one out. Chapman allowed a double to bring in both runs, before being ejected by the home plate umpire for arguing balls and strikes.
It was a rough game for the Pirates, who dealt with defensive issues that led to runs, as well as complaints about the home plate umpire. The offense only managed three hits, with two of them coming in their three-run sixth inning.
Offense and defense from Monday’s game aside, the Pirates have yet to have Bednar and Chapman pitching productively at the same time. The rest of the bullpen has fared well, and the Pirates will have one of the best groups in the majors when their two elite relievers gain consistency.
STATCAST HEROES
I’ve written a lot about how Martin Perez has increased his swinging strike rate, leading to some of the best called+swinging rates of his career. This start had a low whiff rate, leading to a more normal outing for him. Perez was arguing with the umpire before Chapman was thrown out. When you’re not making people swing and miss, you become more reliant on external things like defense and bad calls. Perez got two whiffs each on his sinker and changeup. STATS
TODAY: PIRATES (11-6) AT METS (8-8)
Game Time: 7:10 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Jared Jones, RHP (1-2, 4.00)
Mets Starter: Jose Quintana, LHP (1-1, 3.45)
In the Minors…
- LHP Eric Lauer gets the start for Indianapolis at 6:05 PM EST. Lauer was one of the candidates for a start in the big leagues with Marco Gonzales on the IL, but this start removes him as an option.
- Altoona plays at 6:05 PM in Bowie, with RHP Po-Yu Chen on the mound.
- Bradenton has no announced starter for their 5:30 PM home game.
- Greensboro starts Alessandro Ercolani at home at 6:00 PM.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
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LAST WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
Last week’s premium article drop looked at the top 50 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. This week looks at five hitters who can grade inside the top 30, plus a look at the path from rookie ball to the majors.
**Williams: The Path From Rookie Ball to the Major Leagues
In this subscriber-exclusive column, I give my view of the journey from Rookie Ball to the Major Leagues, and the elements that every player deals with along the way.
**Jack Brannigan is the Next Gold Glove Quality Third Baseman in the Pirates System
The Pirates have Gold Glove third basemen in Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jared Triolo. They’ve got another candidate in the system in power hitter Jack Brannigan.
**Mitch Jebb Brings Elite Speed and Swing Decisions to Greensboro
With so many three-true-outcome approaches in pro ball, 2023 second round pick Mitch Jebb brings a refreshing style of contact, speed, and hustle.
**Jase Bowen Has a Power/Speed/Defense Combo to Dream Upon
Following a 20-20 season in Greensboro, and with the ability to play center field or first base, Jase Bowen is a prospect with a lot of upside to dream upon.
**Tres Gonzales Brings Advanced Hitting Approach to Altoona
One of the most advanced hitters I watched last year was Tres Gonzales. His approach isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done with contact, on-base skills, and a bit of power.
**Rodolfo Nolasco Has Huge Power and Huge Swing and Miss
Some of the best raw power in the system belongs to Rodolfo Nolasco. He showed that with 20 homers in Single-A in 2023. He’ll need to improve the swing and miss to repeat at the higher levels.
SONG OF THE DAY
