Pittsburgh Pirates: Best Picks From Each of the First 10 Rounds

Round 4: Jared Hughes

The Pittsburgh Pirates built a monster bullpen in the early-2010’s, which included the aforementioned Tony Watson. But another guy who played a massive role in those early-2010 Sharktank bullpens was right-hander Jared Hughes. The right-hander was their fourth-round selection in 2006. He started his pro career as a starting pitcher but found massive amounts of success when he got to the majors and was put in the bullpen.

Hughes kicked his career off with five terrific seasons with the Bucs. From 2012, his first full season in the majors, up through 2016, Hughes pitched to the tune of a 2.78 ERA, 4.11 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP. Hughes was a ground ball specialist, having a 60.8% ground ball rate throughout these five campaigns. He was just one of 14 other relievers to have a 60%+ ground ball rate throughout 2012-2016.

After the Pirates released Hughes in Spring Training 2017, he would go on to have two more quality seasons with their division rivals. He spent the next two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds, posting a 2.41 ERA, 3.56 FIP, and 1.12 WHIP. Hughes kept up his signature groundball approach, posting a 64% GB rate between these two seasons.

But 2019 would be the start of the end of Hughes. He still managed a solid 4.04 ERA with the Reds and Philadelphia Phillies (whom he was selected off waivers by mid-season) but saw his HR/9 balloon to 1.6. Hughes spent the 2020 season with the New York Mets, where his ERA skyrocketed to 4.84, and his walk rate jumped to 12.8%.

Hughes would announce his retirement in February 2021. Hughes was never a top prospect in the Pirate system. He was a pretty unassuming fourth-round selection, but he lasted ten years in the Major Leagues while having a sub-3.00 ERA.