Pittsburgh Pirates: What will make Steven Brault Succeed?

So far Steven Brault has made three starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Upon analyzing his starts, Brault has had one key issues that has been causing him to struggle.

Last week, upon Brault’s recall from Triple-A, I wrote an article explaining Brault’s struggles at Triple-A in the mont of August:

"“His earned run average has jumped a full point. Over his last five starts he has not recorded a win and has been tagged with three losses. In those games he has pitched just 21 innings which averages out to be 4.2 innings pitched per start. In those starts he had two starts that he did not get out of the third inning. His numbers have not been very good in those starts obviously. He has given up 19 earned runs. This has been the worst stretch of his career.What has led to Steven Brault’s struggles?First and foremost his command. The Pittsburgh Pirates were drawn to Steven Brault because he has always shown strong command. When Brault loses his command he gets himself in trouble, especially because he does not have overpowering stuff. In his 21 innings pitched this month he has walked 13 batters, or 5.65 batters per nine innings pitched. That number is scary, and not a number you want to see from any pitcher!Some pitchers can get away with walks, because they have strikeout stuff, see Tyler Glasnow. However, Brault is giving away to many free passes, causing him to have to challenge hitters, and they are making him pay.”"

Essentialy Brault was having command issues in Triple-A.

This is something that has never been much of an issues for Brault in his professional career. With that being said, Brault’s final stat lines have not been particularly bad for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Has has given up six earned runs in fourteen innings pitched so far. Those numbers give him a decent earned run average of 3.86. He also has struck out twelve hitters in those fourteen innings, which is a good sign.

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The biggest reason for concern is that Brault has only pitched fourteen innings in his three starts. That averages out to be 4.2 innings pitched per start. Not only is that not good because he is running the bullpen out early, but also for his future. Brault needs to show the ability to pitch deep into games if he wants to make it as a starter. He is not really pitching bad by any means, just throwing to many pitches. At his young age of 24 the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to be strict on his pitch count. Until he can show the ability to get through innings at around 15 pitches then there is a good chance that he will not make it as a starter for the Pirates.

Every Pittsburgh Pirates fan should want the left-handed pitcher to make it.

The Pittsburgh Pirates rotation looks to be very right-handed heavy and they could use a quality lefty. Brault has to start getting through innings with less pitches. It is easy to say, get as many outs as quick as possible. However, this goes back to Brault’s command issue. Coming up through the minors, the lefty would attack the zone and wrack up the strikes. Now he is not trusting his stuff and missing the zone.

Related Story: Brault's Stuggles in AAA

Steven Brault is entering his fourth career start today. It needs to be better. So far he has been able to limit the damage against him, because he has good pitches. If he can have confidence in his pitches and his ability, then he very well should be able to get past the fifth inning. If he continues to nibble and throw a lot of pitches, then Brault may need some more time to develop as a starter in the minors next season.

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