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.

Next. Bryan Reynolds Named Silver Slugger Award Finalist. dark

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.