Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 Staff Predictions: Marty Leap

Mar 18, 2022; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek shelton (17) looks on in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees during spring training at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2022; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek shelton (17) looks on in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees during spring training at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) delivers a pitch in his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras (59) delivers a pitch in his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Breakout Pitcher – Roansy Contreras

Right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras will start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, but by the end of the season he could be the ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is a role he could go on to find himself in for a long, long time.

While Contreras was limited to just 13 minor league starts last season due to injury he was dominant. Contreras posted a 2.65 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 34.9% strikeout rate, and he allowed just 5 home runs in 54.1 innings pitched across 12 starts for Double-A Altoona last season.

In his lone start at the Triple-A level Contreras allowed a run on 4 hits, a walk and 6 strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched. He followed this up with 4 strikeouts in 3 scoreless innings pitched in his lone MLB start last September.

Had it not been for injury Contreras would have found himself entrenched in the Pirate starting rotation before the end of last season. Not only were his results stellar his stuff was truly overpowering and opposing batters struggled mightily against him.

Odds are Contreras would already be the best pitcher in the Pirate starting rotation. This makes him an easy choice for breakout pitcher. Look for Contreras to be the team’s rotation anchor and ace by the end of the season.