41 days until the Pittsburgh Pirates first Spring Training workout

The Pittsburgh Pirates are now just 41 days away from pitchers and catchers having their first workout of the spring at Pirate City in Bradenton

Spring Training is another day closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 41 days, pitchers and catchers for the Pirates will have their first workout of Spring Training at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida.

Number 41 is currently worn by right-handed relief pitcher Daniel Hudson. Prior to the start of the 2017 season, Hudson signed a two year $11 million pact with the Pirates. Unfortunately for Hudson and the Bucs, his 2017 season did not go as planned.

To start the season, Daniel Hudson was one of the key arms in the back of the Pirate bullpen. After struggling to start the season, Hudson was removed from high leverage situations this, however, did not fix his struggles.

When the 2017 season came to an end Daniel Hudson had pitched 61 2/3 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a healthy, and career high, strikeout rate of 9.63 K/9 Hudson struggled immensely with control in 2017 as he averaged 4.82 BB/9, he threw four wild pitches, and he hit five batters.

Daniel Hudson also struggled with the long ball in 2017 allowing seven home runs (1.03 HR/9). All of this led to Hudson posting a 4.38 ERA, 4.34 FIP, and a 0.1 fWAR in 2017.

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Looking ahead to 2018, it will be interesting to see the role that Daniel Hudson plays in the Pirate bullpen. Odds are, he will start the season in the same low leverage role he was in to end the 2017 season. With the pure stuff Hudson has though he has the ability to be an effective pitcher in high leverage situations for the Pirates. If Hudson can tame his control more in 2018, to go with a fastball that sits in the high-90s and a slider that can be a wipeout pitch, he could be a key factor in the Pirate bullpen.