Pittsburgh Pirates: Tyler Beede Needs to Pitch Strictly in Relief

After constant struggles as a starting pitcher this year, it’s time the Pittsburgh Pirates move Tyler Beede back to the bullpen.

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed former top prospect Tyler Beede, back in May. While he wasn’t given regular high-leverage situations to deal with, he was extremely productive for them. In his first 30.2 innings, Beede had a 2.64 ERA, 3.94 FIP, and 1.14 WHIP. He held opponents to just two home runs and an OPS of .609.

Beede’s success in the bullpen led the Pittsburgh Pirates to try the right-hander in the starting rotation. While Beede has the talent to be an excellent pitcher, it’s pretty clear by now that he isn’t cut out to be a starting pitcher. After a month of trying him as a starter, it’s time for the Pirates to move him back to the bullpen.

Beede’s last six appearances have been starts, and he’s pitched 18 innings, surrendering 19 earned runs. He’s walked nearly as many batters as he has struck out with a 14:11 K:BB ratio. After suppressing the long ball in his first handful of Pirate appearances, he has now given up three in less than half the innings he saw as a true reliever.

The splits also support this argument. When Beede faces the order the first time through, he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.89 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP. Sure, his 16.5% strikeout rate nor his 10% walk rate are going to wow anyone, but he’s only allowed two home runs in 38.2 innings while having a 51.3% ground ball rate. But when he faces the order a second and third time, he’s allowed 14 earned runs in nine innings while walking six and giving up three homers.

Beede can be a good relief pitcher. He’s shown he can dominate for an inning or two at a time, but when he’s asked to go three, four, or five innings at a time, he struggles. Beede has decent stuff and could be a decent arm for the Pirates’ pen for the long run. But in order to do so, the Pirates need to move Beede back to the bullpen.