Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting the Starting Rotation

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CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up prior to a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field on February 23, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Trevor Williams #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up prior to a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field on February 23, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Trevor Williams

Right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams joined the Pirate starting rotation in May 2017. From his first start with the Bucs on May 8, 2017, until he went on the injured list following a start on May 16, 2019, Williams made 65 starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In these 65 starts, Williams was quietly one of the best starting pitchers in the National League.

In these 65 starts Williams logged 363.1 innings, posting a 3.47 ERA and 3.81 FIP. He allowed just 31 home runs, 7.3% walk rate and 18.2% strikeout rate. He posted a 2.5 fWAR in 2017, 2.7 fWAR in 2018 and he owned a 1.3 fWAR when he went on the injured list following a start against the San Diego Padres last May.

A little over a month after hitting the injured list, Williams returned to the mound on June 25. In his final 16 starts, Williams was nowhere near the pitcher he was in the previous 65. Williams posted a 6.23 ERA, 6.17 FIP, 8.7% walk rate, 16.4% strikeout rate, and he allowed 21 home runs.

This leaves Williams looking to bounce back in 2020.

During the shutdown, Williams worked closely with new pitching coach Oscar Marin. Williams has raved about the work he and Marin accomplished. Hopefully, this will help him get back on track in 2020. Williams rediscovering his old self could be one of the biggest wild cards for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020.