Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting the 2022 Mid-Season Rotation

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Miguel Yajure #89 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Miguel Yajure #89 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on May 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 08: Bryse Wilson #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates covers first base to force out Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park on August 8, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 08: Bryse Wilson #48 of the Pittsburgh Pirates covers first base to force out Jesse Winker #33 of the Cincinnati Reds during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park on August 8, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Bryse Wilson

The fifth spot in the rotation could have gone to a multitude of other pitchers. However, I chose to go with Bryse Wilson for two reasons. One, he’s yet to be given a fair shot in the majors. Despite making his debut in 2018, he’s been given much less of a chance to prove himself than some of the arms that debuted in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Two, he’s a former consensus top 100 prospect. He was also one of the Atlanta Braves’ highest-ranking prospects, even before the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Mike Soroka, Ian Anderson, and Ozzie Albies graduated prospect status.

Bryse Wilson was acquired by the Pirates at the 2021 trade deadline as one of the two players the Pirates’ got back for Richard Rodriguez. The former prospect only had 76.1 innings across 4 different seasons with the Braves. While he struggled in those 76.1 innings, there was no semblance of consistent playing time in the major leagues for the young right-hander.

Wilson is a command/control pitcher. He tosses five pitches including a four-seam fastball, sinker, change-up, curveball, and slider. He doesn’t have anything overpowering, but he has done well throughout the minor leagues while showing plus command.

Wilson might just be one of the most underrated 2022 breakout candidates. He was a top prospect in a loaded farm system and his major league numbers have been intertwined with 16 different options to the minor leagues. He’ll finally get a shot to prove himself next season.