How Can The Pittsburgh Pirates Replace Jameson Taillon?

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Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves with a huge hole in their starting rotation

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates received devastating news about young right-handed starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. It was announced that the 25-year old Taillon had been treated for testicular cancer. There, obviously, is no timetable for his return to action.

This news came just two days after Taillon was placed on the 10-day disabled list with groin discomfort. Obviously, his issues wound up being much larger than just groin discomfort. The biggest concern with Jameson Taillon right now is his long term health, beating cancer, and getting better.

While baseball is far from the most important thing in Jameson Taillon’s life right now, the season still carries on for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clint Hurdle, Neal Huntington, and company must now look for ways to replace Jameson Taillon in their starting rotation.

Replacing Taillon’s production will not be easy. He has pitched 35 1/3 innings in 6 starts this season. He owns a 3.31 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 3.70 xFIP, and a 0.4 fWAR. He is averaging 7.64 K/9, 3.31 BB/9, and he has induced ground balls at 52.9 percent rate.

Despite this, the Pirates must try and find some way to replace Taillon. So, what options do the Pittsburgh Pirates have to replace Jameson Taillon in their starting rotation?

May 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Trevor Williams (57) in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams

One option would be to continue to start Trevor Williams. Monday night Williams started for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Los Angeles Dodgers in what was supposed to be Jameson Taillon’s start. However, things went disastrously for the right-handed pitcher.

Trevor Williams pitched just 3 innings of Monday night. In these 3 innings of work he allowed 8 runs, 6 earned, on 7 hits, 2 home runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. Additionally, the unearned runs he allowed were due to an error he committed.

Monday night was the first start Williams has made this season, however, it was the seventh game he’s pitched in this season. In 14 2/3 innings pitched this season Trevor Williams has walked 8 batters, he’s allowed 4 home runs, and he’s struck out 12. All of this comes out to an ERA of 7.98, a FIP of 6.54, and a xFIP of 5.61.

Before the game on Monday Clint Hurdle said that, for now at least, Taillon’s spot in the rotation belong to Trevor Williams. But if he continues to pitch so poorly the Pirates may not be able to continue to trot Williams out there every fifth day.

And this could lead to the Pirates needing to make some sort of a move for their starting rotation.

Mar 2, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault (43) throws a pitch during the first inning of a MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Left-handed pitcher Steven Brault

Another possibility is left-handed starting pitcher Steven Brault. Currently, Brault is in the rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis. This comes after he spent Spring Training competing for a spot in the Pirate rotation.

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In 2016 Steven Brault appeared in 8 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which included 7 starts. In 33 1/3 innings pitched he averaged 7.83 K/9, 4.59 BB/9, and 1.35 HR/9. Due to control and home run issues, he finished with a 5.07 FIP and a 4.77 xFIP. But he did generate a 45.1 percent ground ball rate.

At Triple-A this season, Brault’s control issues have continued. In 30 2/3 innings pitched he is averaging 4.40 BB/9. However, his strikeout rate (9.10 K/9) is strong and he has not allowed very many long balls (0.88 HR/9). He is also generate ground balls at a very strong rate of 53.6 percent.

All of this has resulted in Steven Brault posting a 3.52 ERA, 4.16 FIP, and 3.95 xFIP at Triple-A this season. In my opinion, Steven Brault is the best internal option for the Pirates to replace Jameson Taillon. Hopefully, he makes his return to the Major Leagues soon. Out of the internal options to replace Taillon, Brault has the best stuff and highest ceiling.

Feb 19, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (34) pose for a photo for photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Right-handed pitcher Drew Hutchison

Drew Hutchison also remains an option for the Pirates. And while it is an option that not many Pirate fans would like, it is one that they just might end up seeing.

When Spring Training began, the final spot in the Pirate rotation appeared to be Drew Hutchison’s to lose. After an abysmal spring, Hutchison would indeed lose that final rotation spot. This led to him beginning the year at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Drew Hutchison has made 6 starts for Indianapolis this year and has pitched 33 2/3 innings in these 6 starts. He is averaging 6.95 K/9, 4.01 BB/9, and 0.80 HR/9. He is generating ground balls at a 47.1 percent rate, while his ERA and FIP Are both 4.28 and his xFIP is 4.42.

For the most part, Drew Hutchison’s struggles from Spring Training have carried over into the regular season. He has continued to struggle with control, while still allowing too many home runs and too much hard contact (18.3 percent line drive rate at Triple-A).

It is unlikely that Drew Hutchison would get the call to the Major Leagues before Steven Brault. Most likely the only way that would happen is if the Pirates needed a starter in a pinch and Hutchison was available while Brault was not.

However, Drew Hutchison is a candidate to replace Jameson Taillon in the Pirate starting rotation.

May 8, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) climbs the center field wall but can’t get to the grand slam home run ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chris Taylor (3) in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

It won’t be easy

No matter who the Pittsburgh Pirates go with, replacing Jameson Taillon will not be easy. To be honest, it will be near impossible. This is due to how good of a starting pitcher Jameson Taillon is.

Losing Taillon is yet another blow to the 2017 Pirates, a team already without their best all-around player in Starling Marte and starting third baseman and best power hitter Jung Ho Kang. Now they will be without their second best starting pitcher Jameson Taillon for an extended period of time.

The Pirates have already announced that Trevor Williams will start on Saturday against the Diamondbacks. However, with another poor outing his days in the rotation could be, and should be, numbered. Thus opening the door for Steven Brault or Trevor Williams.

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At this point, it will be very difficult for the Pittsburgh Pirates to compete this season. Which sucks, but that’s just the cold hard truth for a team as decimated as the Pirates are by injuries, suspensions, and the Kang situation.

If the Pirates are still going to compete, they need their starting pitching to carry the team. In order for that to happen, they need to find a good replacement for Jameson Taillon. Unfortunately, that will not be easy.

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