3 changes the Pirates need to make to the bullpen ASAP

The Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation has looked good through the first series of the year. Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter have combined for 29 1/3 innings, only allowing seven earned runs. Only four opponents have reached via free pass, and they've struck out 23. All four have left their respective starts with the lead.

The problem? Well, the Pirates are 2-5 after the facing the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. The biggest problem has been how the Pirates are utilizing the bullpen. It is only the first week of the season, but the Pirates need to make changes to the bullpen, and fast.

Because so far, many of the issues that plagued the most troublesome relievers last year are still affecting them today.

3 changes the Pirates need to make to the bullpen ASAP

Dennis Santana, you are the closer

David Bednar is now out of the picture. The Pirates sent him to Triple-A on April 1 to make room for top prospect Thomas Harrington. After a dreadful start to the season, being one of the main factors into two of the Pirates' losses in Miami, the closing role is now up for grabs. But the pitcher who should take that role is right-hander Dennis Santana.

After a horrible second game in Colorado in 2024, Santana pitched to a 1.27 ERA, 1.97 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP across his final 42 2/3 innings of work. He struck out over 30% of batters with a 31.1% rate, with a walk rate of 5.6%. Santana rarely allowed home runs, or any quality contact for that matter, with a 0.21 HR/9, 2% barrel rate, and 84.3 MPH exit velocity. On top of that, Santana isn't unfamiliar with high-leverage, either.

Santana's average leverage index was only 0.93 in August of last year (1.00 represents average leverage). However, he saw that increase to 1.64 in September. For reference, Emmanuel Clase, who had the most saves in the American League last year and had a sub-1.00 ERA for the Cleveland Guardians, had an average leverage index of 1.77.

Bednar's collapse over the last year is stunningly upsetting. It's not because of a lack of ability, as his velocity and movement are as good as ever, but at least he will now get a chance to clear his head and fix whatever needs to without the pressure of a big league closer resting on his shoulders.

Santana has only continued to look good, opening the year with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He's been on a roll since the Pirates acquired him and proved he can handle himself in higher leverage if required to do so (and right now, he should be required to do so).

Keep calling up young pitchers

If the Pirates are going to be good at all, it's going to be on the backs of their young pitching talent, so why not use that talent? That's not suggesting Bubba Chandler or Thomas Harrington should be in the bullpen (they shouldn't, and they play better as starting pitchers), but they have other Triple-A prospects who they could slot into the 'pen, namely Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows.

Ashcraft made his 2025 debut, and while he didn't pitch particularly well, allowing three earned runs on four walks in 3 1/3 innings (after starting off the game with two scoreless innings). His four-seam fastball sat at 95.7 MPH with just over 2400 RPM of spin. He also pitched well throughout last season.

In 73 innings for Altoona and Indianapolis, Ashcraft had a 2.84 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP. He struck out 25.8% of opponents with a miniscule walk rate of just 4%, the latter of which ranked top 10 across the minor leagues among all pitchers with at least 70 frames under their belt. He also had an elite 5.2% walk rate in 2023. Along with a mid-90s four-seam fastball, Ashcraft is armed with a curveball, slider, and changeup.

Burrows has yet to pitch this season due to multiple rainouts at Indy, but has already made his MLB debut. He pitched 3 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees, allowing only one earned run. Burrows' only tossed 37 2/3 innings at Indy, but owned a 4.06 ERA, 4.95 FIP, and 1.41 WHIP. His 1.67 HR/9 was below average, but he had a healthy 26.6% strikeout rate, and 31.7% whiff rate. His 8.9% walk rate was also about average for the Triple-A level.

Despite coming off elbow surgery, Burrows' velocity looked as good as it did before the procedure, sitting 94-95 MPH and topping out around 97. His curveball has always looked like a quality offering, given its high spin rate. Burrows' changeup has also come a long way since the Pirates drafted him in 2018, and now he incorporates a slider into the mix.

Both Ashcraft and Burrows are former Tommy John surgery recipients, and neither has ever pitched 100+ innings in a minor league season. But both are top-15 prospects in the Pirates' system. Baseball America ranks Burrows as their 13th best, while Ashcraft is even more highly touted, coming in at No. 4. The Pirates could call upon Burrows and/or Ashcraft to replace Colin Holderman, who has been struggling since last season's second half.

Ryan Borucki deserves more high-leverage appearances

Ryan Borucki was to the 2023 Pirates bullpen as Dennis Santana was to their 2024 'pen. Signed to a minor league deal in early May, Borucki was only seen as a low-cost depth addition. But when the Pirates needed more bullpen arms, they turned to the southpaw. Despite having no expectations entering the year, Borucki became one of the team's best relievers.

In 40 1/3 innings, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA, 3.50 FIP, and 0.74 WHIP. His 21.7% strikeout rate only hovered around the league average, but he had an outstanding 2.6% walk rate. Only three pitchers that season had a sub-3% walk rate in 40+ innings, including Seattle Mariners ace George Kirby and Detroit Tigers' reliever Tyler Alexander. Kirby and Borucki were also the only pitchers with a sub-1.00 BB/9, with Bourcki sitting at 0.89, which was the lowest in baseball. Borucki also avoided hard contact at a high rate, with just an 85.3 MPH exit velo and 6.3% barrel percentage.

With such a great season under his belt after ending the year with 16 straight scoreless innings, Borucki was in line for an important role in the Pirates' 2024 bullpen. But injuries derailed his season. He suffered a nerve injury and was put on the injured list during the first week of April. Unfortunately, he wouldn't return to a Major League mound until the start of September. Borucki would only toss 11 innings during the entirety of the 2024 season.

He then became a free agent, but agreed to return on a minor league contract. The left-hander proceeded to dominate in spring training, only allowing one earned run with 14 Ks in 9 2/3 nnings of work. His two-seamer was back in the 94-95 MPH range, which is where it sat in 2023. The velocity on his sweeper, slider, and changeup were also back up to their 2023 norms. This earned him an Opening Day bullpen spot.

Borucki has now pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to open 2025. If he's back to 100% health, which is what it looks like, then it's time to let him potentially replace Colin Holderman. He showed when he's healthy that he can handle higher leverage. He had a 1.31 leverage index in September 2023 and didn't allow. run while issuing just one walk. He's earned more high-leverage situations after his strong 2023 season and is returning fully healthy in 2025.