Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking Down Each Breakout Pitching Candidate

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Cincinnati Reds during the game at PNC Park on September 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates have many inexperienced arms who are currently breakout candidates. So what does each bring to the table?

The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff is very inexperienced. Most of the team’s rotation and bullpen candidates have less than two years of experience in the majors. The most experienced arm is José Quintana, and the next is Chris Stratton.

While the vast majority of the rotation by the end of 2022 will consist of pitchers who are right now prospects, the chance the Pirates find at least one or two solid arms among their vast array of breakout pitching candidates is very likely. While that’s not to say that they’re going to find an ace, maybe they find a no. 3 quality pitcher or a few excellent no. 4 arms.

Until the likes of Roansy Contreras, Miguel Yajure, and Carmen Mldozinski are entrenched in the majors, and all are making regular starts at the same time, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have to roll with some of their inexperienced arms, especially at the back end of the rotation. Currently, I’m looking at guys who have already graduated prospect status.

So what does each potential breakout candidate bring to the table?

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