Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Pitchers With an Important Season Ahead

Jul 31, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (34) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker (34) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Aug 31, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bryse Wilson (48) delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bryse Wilson (48) delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryse Wilson

While he was rising through the minor league system of the Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson was a highly touted pitching prospect. He made his debut with the Braves in 2018 but was never given a true, extended look with the Braves.

This season Wilson will get that extended look with the Pirates. Barring something unforeseen Wilson should start the season in the Pirate starting rotation. Even if Wilson runs into struggles the Pirates are likely to give Wilson a look as a starting pitcher throughout most of the season.

Wilson has the ability to be a quality MLB starting pitcher. Last season he walked just 6.8% of batters faced putting him in the top third of MLB starters in walk rate. He was also able to get opposing batters to chase pitches ranking in the 83rd percentile of MLB pitchers in chase rate.

Like Brubaker, Wilson struggled to limit quality contact. His 9.9% barrel rate, 89.0 MPH average exit velocity, and 42.7% hard hit rate were all above league average. So, like Brubaker, Wilson may be better suited for the bullpen long-term in an effort to better limit hard contact and in turn home runs.

Wilson could have a future in the Pirate starting rotation. His future could be as a member of the Pirate bullpen. Wilson could also flame out and prove to not have a future with the Pittsburgh Pirates at all. When the dust settles on the 2022 season what Wilson’s future holds should be more clear.