Top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates Players Of The 2010’s: Numbers 6-10

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) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 24, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 24, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

#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.