
Pitcher JT Brubaker
2019 was supposed to be the season for JT Brubaker. But, injuries happened. When the 2019 season began it seemed there was no chance that Brubaker would not make his MLB debut in 2019, but injuries limited him to just six minor league starts.
Had it not been for injuries, Brubaker’s MLB debut would have occurred in 2019. After all, he entered the season as the Pirates’ top starting pitching option at the Triple-A level, and this came before the team used 14 different starting pitchers.
Four of the six starts Brubaker made in 2019 came at the Triple-A level. He posted a 2.57 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 4.7% walk rate, and a 23.3% strikeout rate in these starts. He also made two starts for the short-season Low-A West Virginia Black Bears. Brubaker posted a 1.35 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 14.8% walk rate, and a 14.8% strikeout rate in these two starts.
Assuming he is healthy, Brubaker will start the 2020 season back with Triple-A Indy. However, he will be high up on the Pirates’ stating pitching depth chart. If he is pitching effectively and healthy at Triple-A, Brubaker should see his MLB debut occur in the 2020 season. Potentially, early in the season.