Pittsburgh Pirates: Revisiting the Joe Musgrove Trade

Jun 13, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 21, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) throws in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) throws in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

David Bednar turns in a historically good rookie season

The 2021 season was the rookie season for Bednar. In his first full MLB season Bednar had one of the best rookie seasons in Pirate history for relief pitchers, and all signs point toward him being a huge part of the Pirate bullpen moving forward.

Bednar pitched 60.2 innings in 61 games pitched with the Pittsburgh Pirates this past season. He posted a 2.23 ERA, 2.69 FIP and a strong home run rate of 0.74 HR/9. Bednar walked just 8.0% of batters faced while he struck out a very strong 32.5% of batters faced.

During the month of September Bednar spent time on the injured list. This IL stint, however, was probably in large part to help watch his workload and limit the amount of innings/work put on his arm in a lost season.

Moving forward Bednar looks like a potential All-Star level reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It would not be a surprise to see the Pittsburgh native cement himself as the go to man in high-leverage situations in 2022 and beyond.

The day PNC Park is rocking to Bednar taking the field while Renegade blares from the PNC Park loud speakers in an important late season game and postseason games will be a lot of fun.