It’s hard to say a lot went right over the course of a 100-loss Pirates season last year. Down the stretch, the rotation really showed some promise, and was one of the strongest parts of the team.
This past week we’ve seen the offense really explode, scoring 52 runs over the past eight games — and that’s including a game they were shutout in.
Still, even with the offense, the pitching staff continues to put them in a great position to win. With Roansy Contreras picking up another quality start, that gives the Pirates’ rotation 10 straight.
The even more impressive part of it has been factoring the rough start to the season that both Rich Hill and Vince Velasquez had, with both chipping in a couple of very strong outings the last two times through the rotation.
There has been a big focus on throwing breaking, and secondary pitches, especially if the numbers favor them over the fastball. I wrote about Johan Oviedo, and his success since increasing his curveball usage. He’s not the only one adapting that philosophy.
Contreras hasn’t had much success when it comes to generating swings and misses with the fastball this season, but the slider remains an elite pitch. Thursday against the Reds, he didn’t get any whiffs on 17 swings against his fastball, but got 14 on 24 against the slider.
He threw 50 sliders compared to 37 fastballs, and pitched 6.2 innings while striking out eight.
It looks like they’ve found a recipe for success when it comes to their rotation, and the results only further prove it.
PROSPECT NOTES
— Roansy wasn’t the only young starting pitcher on display in the system on Thursday. Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones, Alessandro Ercolani all started for their respective affiliate and all came away with strong outings.
Ercolani had a rough debut last week, but bounced back to pitch four one-hit innings, striking out four. The control is still something that will have to be improved upon, as he has seven walks in 6.2 innings to begin the season.
The numbers doesn’t exactly paint the whole story for Chander so far this year, but he did complete five innings for the for just the second time in his professional career, striking out six batters.
For Jones, the stuff has always been there, it’s just a matter of harnessing it. He completed five full innings for the first time this season, and while he allowed seven hits, he also didn’t walk a single batter.
Check out the rest of the daily minor league results in the Prospect Watch:
Prospect Watch: Solid Outings from Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler, Five RBIs from Jase Bowen
PIRATES DVR
One of five strikeouts for Jones on the night, this one to get the game started.
An early strikeout from @jared_jones_17 gets us under way tonight!
LISTEN: https://t.co/aioWvW3Svf
WATCH: https://t.co/6GP894jPtF pic.twitter.com/ouifRTp3sF— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) April 20, 2023
Endy picked up another home run on the night, but would later have to leave the game after apparently hurting himself throwing to second base.
Righty or lefty, Endy's got us.
Another insane play by Ke’Bryan Hayes, who somehow gets this throw off to get a double play.
Double down ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SzsTXCWQxU
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 21, 2023
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
My column tonight was fun to write. It may have been a bit artistically inspired by 4/20, but it’s all about being your own singularity.
Pirates Recap: An Eighth of the Way Through the Season, the Pirates Look Like That Za
Prospect Watch: Solid Outings from Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler, Five RBIs from Jase Bowen
**On the MLB draft front, it’s Jacob Gonzalez vs Paul Skenes on the Friday night schedule.
**The Pirates inducted Kent Tekulve, Bob Friend, Dick Groat and Elroy Face to their Hall of Fame.
**On the minor league side, Caleb Smith rejoined Indianapolis and made the start for them tonight.
**Yesterday, I highlighted three signs that show the Pirates might be a good team. Anthony looked at J.C. Flowers and the impact he’s making out of the Indianapolis bullpen.
SONG OF THE DAY
Go read the column, then listen to the song.
