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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Goals For Catchers This Season
By Marty Leap
Goal #1 – Help the Young Pitching Staff
During the 2021 season the Pittsburgh Pirates will have a pitching staff filled with young, talented arms. This will make it vital that the team’s catchers help the young pitchers this season both with their development and with getting comfortable in the Majors.
Mitch Keller, who is entering a vital season, will start the season in the starting rotation, one of JT Brubaker or Wil Crowe will as well. Top prospects Cody Bolton and Miguel Yajure should be in the starting rotation by the end of the regular season as well.
Each of these pitchers could be a part of the Pirate rotation long-term and be there when their next window of contention opens. To be honest, if that does not happen with at least two of these five starters the team’s next window of contention will likely be delayed by another season.
This also applies to the Pirate bullpen. David Bednar, Blake Cederlind, Nick Mears, Luis Oviedo and Blake Weiman could all become mainstays in the Pirate bullpen at some point this season. Having a dependable back stop, regardless of which one is starting, can only benefit these pitchers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a catching staff in place that can help young pitchers succeed. In turn, this can help these pitchers develop confidence at the Major League level and progress their developemnt along.