Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Breakout Bullpen Arms

While there has been plenty of negatives about the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020, one positive has been this trio of breakout bullpen arms.

Owning a 9-19 record, it is no secret that the 2020 season has been a struggle thus far for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Offensively, the Bucs have struggled. The Pirates rank 28th in MLB in runs scored, 27th in home runs, and they are dead last in both slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

The pitching staff has been better than the offense, but still has not been as successful as one would like to see. The Pirate pitching staff ranks 22nd in MLB in team ERA, but that does not tell the whole story of this staff. Five pitchers – Miguel Del Pozo, Robbie Erlin, Tyler Bashlor, Yacksel Rios, and Dovydas Neverauskas – have been charged with 21.1% of the earned runs the team has allowed this season. If you take away these five pitchers, two of which are no longer in the organization and only two of which are currently on the active roster, the team’s ERA drops by more than half a run.

While the pitching staff has not found the success you would like to see, there have been plenty of positives with the staff. Thus far, new pitching coach Oscar Marin has been a difference and his impact has been felt. This includes these three relievers who are having a breakout season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.