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The best pitches of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Shark Tank
Perhaps no other pitcher has benefited from the Pirates’ reliance on shifts more than Jared Hughes. Hughes has developed quite a niche in Pittsburgh, quickly becoming the go-to guy to come in with runners on base. In 2014, Hughes enjoyed a robust strand rate of 78.1%, which is listed as “Great” over at Fangraphs. A lot of that might have to do with his highly-effective slider.
| O-Swing % | O-contact % | SwStr% | Ground ball rate | Fly Ball Rate |
| 40.8% | 16.1% | 29.4% | 41.2% | 29.4% |
Batters offer at Hughes’ slider about 40.8% of the time, but only make contact at a staggeringly-low 16.1%, while swinging and missing at 29.4%. As we all know with Hughes, he loves to keep it on the ground, with a 41.2% GB rate. His career overall ground ball rate comes in at 61%. Jared Hughes is the Charlie Morton of the Pirates’ bullpen, but a tad more reliable. Hughes uses his slider very effectively, leading to ineffectual balls put in play by opposing batters, playing to his strengths and a shifting Pirates defense. The harmony of Hughes’ skill-set and the Pirates’ defensive approach is perfect.
Next, we’ll look at the marquee bullpen addition for 2015.
Next: Welcome to the tank, Bastardo