Pittsburgh Pirates: Recapping Where Recently Traded Players Are Now

Joe Musgrove

Joe Musgrove was coming off a quality 2020 campaign when the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt him. He only pitched in an injury-limited 39.2 innings but put up a 3.86 ERA, 3.42 FIP, and 1.24 WHIP. Musgrove had struck out nearly a third of batters faced with a 33.1% strikeout rate, though this came at his control’s expense. He posted a career-worst walk rate of 9.6%. Home runs were still a bit of an issue with a 1.13 HR/9. Though he had also been solid in the years leading up to the trade as well.

Musgrove was shipped to the San Diego Padres for a five player package. The right-hander did well in his first season as a Friar, posting a 3.18 ERA, 3.70 FIP, and 1.08 WHIP. Although his strikeout rate took a step back from 2020, he still had a healthy 27.1% mark. Plus, his walk rate decreased to 7.2%, while his home run rate stayed relatively constant at 1.09.

Musgrove has kicked off the season year as one of the most significant cogs in the Padres’ rotation. He, alongside Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Sean Manaea, and Mike Clevinger, make up a formidable starting five. However, he will hit the open market at the season’s end.