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Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 Staff Predictions: Jeff Cupp

By Jeffrey Cupp

Daniel Vogelbach of the Pittsburgh Pirates heads onto the field after greeting people in the stands before a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He is a Bishop Verot graduate and this is the first time as a pro that he is playing spring training in Fort MyersVogel19
Daniel Vogelbach of the Pittsburgh Pirates heads onto the field after greeting people in the stands before a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He is a Bishop Verot graduate and this is the first time as a pro that he is playing spring training in Fort MyersVogel19 /
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Sep 24, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Zach Thompson (74) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Zach Thompson (74) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Thompson – Top 50 in WAR Among Pitchers

Last season Zach Thompson debuted for the Miami Marlins. He pitched 75 innings to the toon of a 3.24 ERA. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Thompson via the Jacob Stallings trade this winter prior to the lockout. Thompson has the makings of a very good MLB starter. This spring he struck out 9 batters across 9 innings, while giving up just 3 walks and 3 earned runs.

Thompson’s fastball isn’t overpowering, but he gets a ton of spin on it. He also utilizes a cutter quite effectively, limiting hitters to just a .227 wOBA against it. Thompson also got a lot of swing and misses on his curveball and changeup, whiffing 37% and 43% respectively.

Thompson’s xFIP last season was 4.65, so he is a potential regression candidate. However his exit velocities and xwOBA are among the best in the league according to Baseball Savant, so while he is likely to give up more home runs this season that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be giving up a ton of hard contact. Utilizing his sinker more would also help keep the ball in the park.

Thompson has the potential to be a very good mid-rotation starter, one that could be with the Pirates for the next several seasons. More importantly, he has the stuff to become a top 50 pitcher in the MLB.

Here’s a projection: 140 innings, 3.83 ERA, 135 Ks, 47 walks, 16 HR, 2.7 WAR

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