Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 vs. 2017 Part 2: Pitching

Feb 19, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA;Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) pose for a photo for photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA;Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) pose for a photo for photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl (39) throws a pitch for warmups in the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Four

2016: Jon Niese

2017: Chad Kuhl

Like Nicasio, Jon Niese was also a failed experiment, and it is hard to imagine Chad Kuhl performing as poorly as Niese did during his time in a Bucco uniform.

After tearing through AAA for two and 1/2 months in 2016, Kuhl had a respectable rookie stint with the Bucs. This spring, he has given us more reason to be encouraged this spring and has also revamped his changeup, which could be huge in his development. 

I don’t expect Kuhl to become the second coming of Greg Maddux. However, I don’t see why he can’t be a quality number four starter, of much greater use than Jon Niese was one year ago.

Kuhl > Niese