Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting Starting Rotation at the End of 2022

Other Potential Arms

The Pirates have a few other options they could turn to, so let’s at least explore and take a glance at some other pitchers you may see in the starting rotation by the end of the 2022 season.

JT Brubaker

JT Brubaker was a pretty solid pitcher in the first half of this year. He had a 4.47 ERA, 4.72 FIP, and 1.15 WHIP. He had a strong 4.6 K/BB ratio, but home runs were what hurt him the most with a 1.8 HR/9. Plus he got a bit unlucky, indicated with a 3.83 xFIP. The second half of the season has been rough. He has a 8.78 ERA, 7.74 FIP, and 1.66 WHIP. His HR/9 has risen over an entire home run with a 3.25 mark. Depending on how the Pittsburgh Pirates view him, they may move him to the bullpen, somewhere he thrived at the beginning of 2020, or try and see if they can rediscover the solid starter he was pre-all-star break.

Max Kranick

Max Kranick had an electric debut, firing 5 perfect innings with 3 K’s. But he’s given up 16 earned runs in his last 15 innings. Like with Brubaker, Kranick may eventually be moved to the bullpen. His stuff may play up given that he’s shown some solid offerings, but just not enough to play as a starting pitcher in the Major Leagues. But the jury is still out on Kranick.

Wil Crowe

Wil Crowe has been solid in the second half of this year with a 3.68 ERA and .250 batting average against him. However, Crowe has been dancing through the raindrops. He has some ugly underlying numbers including a 5.49 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, and 4.53 xFIP. He’s given up his fair share of home runs and walks, but if he can continue to shows some promise as a back of the rotation arm, he could be in the running for the #5 spot to start 2022. If he can continue to do what he’s done, the 5th spot might be his for a good part of the ’22 season.

Ricky DeVito

Ricky DeVito was acquired in the Rodriguez trade. Ranked as the Pirates’ 39th best prospect per FanGraphs, DeVito was putting up solid numbers at the Braves’ High-A affiliate. He had a 2.66 ERA, 3.54 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP in 20.1 innings of work. Next year will be his age 23-season. So the Pirates might push him up through the system a bit faster given his age.

Mitch Keller

Mitch Keller was once a high-end prospect, not just in the Pirates’ system, but in all of baseball. He’s yet to prove himself in the major leagues despite being given many chances to do so. Yet, he’s still 25-years-old. His age and prospect pedigree just a year or two ago will earn him another chance at the start of the season. But his future is becoming very uncertain, especially considering the sheer amount of young pitching depth now in the minor leagues.

Steven Brault

Left-hander Steven Brault has looked like a good back of the rotation starter over the past 2 seasons. It’s only been 57.1 innings though and the Pittsburgh Pirates might capitalize on his trade value, especially considering that he has a spotty past. Though the Pirates might bet on his current performance and keep him around for next season.