Pittsburgh Pirates 2021 Outlook: LHP Blake Weiman

While he will likely start the season at the Triple-A level, lefty reliever Blake Weiman should make his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021

During the 2021 season one area that could see a lot of change for the Pittsburgh Pirates is the bullpen. Current high-leverage relievers Richard Rodriguez and Chris Stratton could be strong trade bait in July assuming they pitch well. Also, many of the top relief pitching prospects in the Pirate orgnization are close to the Major League level.

One of these top relief pitching prospects is left-handed pitcher Blake Weiman. Weiman is in MLB camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring and will have an opportunity to leave an impression on Derek Shelton and his staff.

At one point he appeared to be a non-roster invitee with a chance to crack the Opening Day roster. This, however, was before the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Chasen Shreve to a minor league contract. With the addition of Shreve, Weiman is now likely all but a lock to start the season at Triple-A.

Weiman only has 11.2 career innings at the Triple-A level. In these 11.2 innings he struggled to the tune of a 4.63 ERA and a 6.80 FIP. While he struck out 10 batters in 11.2 innings pitched, Weiman was hurt by the long ball allowing three home runs.

Had there been a minor league season in 2020 there is a good shot Weiman would have made his MLB debut last season after getting more seasoning in at Indianapolis. Due to this, however, the Pittsburgh Pirates will likely want to get Weiman more seasoning at Triple-A to start the season.

Weiman made his 2021 spring debut in Monday’s 2-2 tie between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. In the outing, Weiman retired all three batters he faced while throwing seven of his 10 pitches for strikes. While Weiman is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster, outings like this one will only continue to raise his value within the Pirate organization and push him closer to making his MLB debut.

Fans can expect to see Weiman make his MLB debut this season. Weiman is part of the long-term bullpen plans for the Pirates. For Weiman and the Bucs, those long-term plans should start to come to fruition in 2021.