Top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates Players Of The 2010’s: Numbers 6-10
By Noah Wright
![ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 12: Francisco Liriano #47 and Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 10-6 at Busch Stadium on May 12, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas /Getty Images) ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 12: Francisco Liriano #47 and Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 10-6 at Busch Stadium on May 12, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas /Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frumbunter-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1143367422-850x560-c7dbdca22b55042c587d69d7f735f4de.jpg)
#7 – SP/RP Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano had a great three-year run with the Bucs from 2013 to 2015. In these three seasons Liriano posted a 3.26 ERA, 3.23 FIP, and 1.24 WHIP. He struck out 9.6 batters per 9 innings, and rarely gave up long balls (0.7 HR/9).
Liriano had played an integral part in the Pirates’ playoff runs, including starting the 2013 NL Wild Card Game. On that unforgettable night the left-handed starter went 7 innings, gave up just a single run on four hits, a walk, and he struck out five Cincinnati Reds batters.
As a starter, Liriano is ranked 4th in pitcher fWAR in Pirate history, while his K/9 during the three year run ranks 9th among all MLB pitchers during that time period. No other Pirates’ starter has averaged more strikeouts per 9 than Liriano’s 9.51 K/9.
Liriano’s first tenure with the Bucs may have ended unceremoniously after struggling in 2016 and salary dumped to the Toronto Blue Jays, but he returned to the Pirates in 2019 as a relief pitcher. Although he did have a 4.53 FIP and 1.36 WHIP, Liriano still provided 70 innings out of the pen of 3.47 ERA, 123 ERA+ ball. Not bad for someone who was brought in on a minor league deal.