Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Pitching Breakout Candidates for 2023

Sep 13, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (75) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (75) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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Pittsburgh Pirates
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 23: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates sits in the dugout prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

These three pitchers could be in line for a big breakout season as members of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff in 2023

A big part of every Major League Baseball season is teams having breakout players. Even for as much as the team struggles, these breakout players each season will always include the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last season, the Pirates, even with their struggles, saw some players breakout. All long last Mitch Keller finally put it all together and emerged as a very good MLB starting pitcher. Oneil Cruz burst onto the scene as one of the best power hitting infielders in baseball, and Jack Suwinski was among all MLB rookie leaders in home runs.

Looking ahead to 2023, there are some potential pitching breakout candidates for the Pittsburgh Pirates that quickly come to mind. Today, we will take a look at three potential Pirate breakout candidates for next season.

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