Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 Outlook: Left-Handed Relief Options

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 01: Anthony Banda #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 01: Anthony Banda #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Anthony Banda #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Anthony Banda #52 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on October 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Anthony Banda

Another returning name to watch is Anthony Banda. Banda joined the Pirates last summer after being designated for assignment by the New York Mets on July 31st. August 5th Banda was added to the active roster by the Pirates, where he remained for the rest of the 2021 season.

Quietly, Banda pitched well for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Banda made 25 appearances with the Pirates, pitching 26.1 innings in these 25 outings. Across these 25 outings Banda allowed 25 hits and just 4 home runs. He walked 10.3% of batters faced and struck out 21.6%.

All of this led to Banda posting a 3.42 ERA and a 4.84 FIP during his time with the Pirates. Outside of his 10.3% walk rate there were no real red flags pertaining to Banda’s performance in the black and gold.

Banda did a good job stranding runners with an 86.8% left on base rate. He allowed line drives at just a 16.9% rate, which is better than league average. He also limited opposing batters to a 28.6% hard hit rate which is 5% points lower than the league average hard hit rate allowed.

Banda, like Howard, should have a great shot at cracking the team’s Opening Day roster. To be honest, if the Pirates only kept one of the two it would not be a surprise to see it be Banda. In fact, it’s likely it would be Banda. Regardless, unless the Pittsburgh Pirates add left-handed relief options via trade or free agency before Opening Day, Banda should like his chances of cracking the roster.