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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Prospects Who Could Play Key Roles In 2021

By Noah Wright

VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Miguel Yajure #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the third inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Miguel Yajure #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the third inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Mar 3, 2021; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Miguel Yajure (50) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Miguel Yajure (50) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Miguel Yajure

Like Bednar, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Miguel Yajure this past offseason as one of the primary pieces in the Jameson Taillon deal. The right-handed starter had the best season of his career in 2019. Through 138.2 innings, mostly at High-A (127.2), Yajure managed a 2.14 ERA, 2.51 FIP and 1.07 WHIP. He also had a strong 2.88 xFIP at High-A.

Yajure put up the best peripherals of his career as well. His 23.9% strikeout rate was his best single season mark, while his 5.4% walk was his second best single season mark. He also allowed just five home runs for a 0.3 HR/9 rate. This was mainly because he had a ground ball rate just 0.4% below 55% at High-A.

Yajure has the best command in the Pirate system coming in with a 60-future grade on FanGraphs. What’s impressive is that he has four pitches with the potential to all be average or better offerings. Out of his four offerings, his cutter is graded the best with a 60-grade. His four seam fastball, which hovers around the low-to-mid-90s and can reach upwards of 97 MPH, is a pitch with 55-grade potential. Another pitch with 55-grade potential is his change-up. His curveball may be the lowest graded pitch out of his arsenal, but it’s still seen as an average offering at the very least.

Even after the injury to Steven Brault, the Pirates still have a fairly crowded rotation picture. Chad Kuhl and Mitch Keller have two spots on lockdown with a mixture of Tyler Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Wil Crowe and JT Brubaker filling out the rest.

Next. Anthony Alford's 2021 Potential. dark

The Pittsburgh Pirates also have Cody Ponce on hand who can fill in as a swingman. However, if they’re healthy and pitching to a competent level, Anderson and Cahill will be dealt at some point throughout the season. Kuhl got some trade attention last trade deadline and some teams kicked the tires on him throughout the off season, so he could be a name to be moved as well. Yajure will start the season in the minors, but could easily be one of, if not the team’s best starter in the second half of 2021.

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