Pittsburgh Pirates: Ranking the Prospects Acquired This Offseason

David Bednar

David Bednar was another player acquired in the Musgrove deal. Bednar, who’s a Pittsburgh native himself, was among the Padres’ top relief pitching prospects. At the end of 2020, FanGraphs ranked him as their 23rd best prospect in the organization.

Bednar has been excellent throughout the minors. In 219 innings, the right-hander has a 2.70 ERA, 2.14 FIP and 1.17 WHIP. He’s put up great strikeout numbers with a 33% strikeout rate while only allowing home runs at a rate of 0.41 per 9 rate. While he doesn’t have the best command, he’s only allowed walks at a 7.7% rate.

The right-hander’s two primary pitches are a fastball and curveball. His fastball averages out in the mid-90’s at 92-96 MPH but has touched 98 MPH. He also puts decent spin on the pitch with 2400 RPM. His curveball also has decent spin at 2600 RPM. Both of these are seen as 60-grade offerings. He also throws a splitter, which is seen as a future 55-grade pitch.

At 26-years-old and already 17.1 innings at the Major League level under his belt, the reliever will look to lock down a late inning role in 2021 with the Bucs. He did serve as a closer through his last 3 seasons at the minor leagues, racking up double digit save totals in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Bednar could be part of the Pittsburgh Pirates next shark tank as well. FanGraphs recently ranked him as the team’s 32nd best prospect and 2nd best relief prospect.