Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training: Players Creating Tough Decisions

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 18: Kyle Crick #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on July 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 18: Kyle Crick #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park on July 18, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
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BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Chase De Jong #76 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March 23, 2021 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Chase De Jong #76 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins during a spring training game at LECOM Park on March 23, 2021 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Chase De Jong

All aboard the Chase De Jong bandwagon, bay bay! Late last week we talked about De Jong emerging as an intriguing arm for the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring. Well, after another strong outing, it is time to start discussing him as a legitimate threat to crack the Opening Day roster.

After pitching 3.2 scoreless innings in Tuesday’s 1-0 Pirate victory, De Jong now owns a 0.77 ERA this spring. He has pitched 11.2 innings, allowing just 1 earned run on seven hits, three walks, he’s hit a batter and struck out five.

De Jong is a once highly thought of pitching prospect who has never been able to maximize his stuff. The 27-year-old righty has pitched 54.1 innings in 15 MLB games, 10 of which were starts. In these 54.1 innings of work De Jong has posted a 7.12 ERA, 6.00 FIP, 1.82 HR/9, 10.6% walk rate and a 14.2% strikeout rate.

Despite his struggles De Jong still possesses a potential plus fastball to go with tight, plus potential breaking stuff. Odds are De Jong will crack the Pirates’ active roster at some point this season. If he continues to pitch this well in Grapefruit League play, he may pitch his way into being a long reliever in the Pirate bullpen to start the 2021 season.