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
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Quinn Priester #61 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Starting pitcher Quinn Priester

This one is a bit different than the others two as Quinn Priester has not yet made his MLB debut. However, after reaching the Triple-A level late in the 2022 season Priester should be in line to make his MLB debut in 2023.

The 2020 season was the best season of the 2019 first-round pick’s professional career. Pitching at the Double-A level for the first time, Priester made 15 starts. In this 15 starts he posted a 2.87 ERA and a 3.23 FIP in 75.1 innings pitched.

Priester then made two starts at Triple-A in September. With the Indianapolis Indians, Priester posted a 3.86 ERA.

Entering the season Priester was in need of refining some of his pitches. Not only did he do this, he also added a sinker to his repertoire. Priester will be viewed as a potential future anchor of the Pirate rotation, and an anchor for a long time, and that could start in 2023.

If everything goes according to plan then it will not take Priester long to solidify himself as a key member of the Pirate starting rotation. By the early summer, if not sooner, Priester should find himself taking the ball every five days for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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