Pittsburgh Pirates: Final Opening Day Roster Prediction

Starting Rotation – Chad Kuhl, Mitch Keller, Tyler Anderson, JT Brubaker, Trevor Cahill

This is another position group that has undergone changes in recent days. Last week the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Steven Brault will miss 10-12 weeks. A few days prior to that, the team signed veteran Trevor Cahill to a MLB contract for the 2021 season.

Brault appeared to be on pace to be the team’s Opening Day starter, now it appears that nod will go to Chad Kuhl. Mitch Keller, who is entering a make or break season, free agent addition Tyler Anderson and JT Brubaker all appear to be locks for the rotation as well.

This leaves one spot up for grabs in the Pirate starting rotation. This battle is between Cahill and Will Crowe who has pitched extremely well this spring. Ultimately, this spot will likely go to Cahill. Although, it would not be a surprise to see Crowe get the nod, especially with how well he has pitched this spring.

The question for Crowe would then become what’s next? Do the Pirates keep him stretched out at the alternate training site and then in the Triple-A starting rotation when the minor league season begins? Or would they use him in the bullpen?

Like the infield, the Pirate starting rotation could look much different later in the season. In fact, no position group is likely to undergo as big of a face lift this season as the starting rotation. Top prospects such as Miguel Yajure and Cody Bolton are on the doorstep of the Majors, and Crowe, if he does not start the season in the rotation, will likely join it at some point. Plus, the return of Brault in May or June will give what will likely be a very poor starting rotation a nice boost.