3 non-Bubba Chandler pitchers who should replace Andrew Heaney with Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are likely going to designate Andrew Heaney for assignment, or put him on waivers in hopes that another team picks up his remaining tab, before the end of the month. Heaney has a 4.99 ERA, 5.52 FIP, and 1.32 WHIP over 119 innings this season. While the veteran left-hander was effective at the beginning of the year, he has now posted an ERA and FIP over 6.50 since the start of June, and allowed an objectionable 2.62 home runs per nine innings in that time as well.

The Pirates would arguably be doing more harm than good by keeping Heaney around much longer. Heaney is a free agent at the end of the year, and they could be using that rotation spot to audition a pitcher who could have an impact in 2026. While everyone wants to see Bubba Chandler take that rotation spot, the Pirates do not seem to be acting with much urgency there, especially given how much he has struggled the last two months. Still, the Pirates have other opportunities they could be taking advantage of to gain knowledge for the long haul.

3 pitchers who should replace Andrew Heaney in Pirates rotation (besides Bubba Chandler)

Sean Sullivan

Sean Sullivan isn't the first name you think of when you think of pitchers in the Pirates' farm system. Originally an eighth-round pick by the Pirates in 2021, Sullivan has seemingly pitched well at every level he has been at. After a brief rehab assignment, Sullivan pitched 15.2 innings at Altoona, allowing just two earned runs, four walks, and striking out 14 batters. The right-hander was then sent to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Sullivan has continued to post decent numbers after getting promoted. In 29.1 innings pitched, the right-hander has a 2.79 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP. He is striking out batters more frequently with a 25.4% K%, and has a lower HR/9 at 0.31. The right-hander's walk rate has seen an uptick to 11.5%, but that was expected given that Triple-A uses the automatic ball-strike system. 

Sullivan primarily uses three pitches. His four-seam fastball sits low-90s, topping out at 94.5 MPH this season. The right-hander's primary breaking pitch is a mid-80s sweeper. Sullivan uses his changeup as his go-to secondary offering, utilizing it more frequently than his sweeper. The low-80s offspeed pitch has been quite effective at inducing swings and misses, with an impressive 42.2% whiff rate.

You won't find Sullivan on any top 30 Pirates prospect lists. He is an unranked prospect, but he consistently puts up solid performances at each level of the minor leagues. While there are more established prospects in the Pirates' system, the chances that Sullivan can outperform Heaney over the last two months are strong. The Pirates likely know what they have with Chandler, so let's see what Sullivan can do.

Johan Oviedo

It's been a while since Johan Oviedo was an established member of the Pirates' starting rotation. Acquired at the 2022 trade deadline, Oviedo immediately became a key member of the Bucs' rotation in 2023, tossing 177.2 innings over the course of 32 starts. The right-hander turned in a respectable 4.31 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP, which amounts to roughly league-average production. There were some bumps in the road, but plenty of positives for a pitcher in his first season as a big league starter.

Oviedo was seen as an important member of the Pirates' 2024 pitching staff, but instead underwent Tommy John surgery in December 2023, eliminating him from the entire '24 season. He was slated to return early in 2025, but another setback occurred in the form of a lat injury. The right-hander didn't make his first rehab start until the last day of June.

For what it's worth, Oviedo has looked great in his rehab. It has only been 21 innings, but Oviedo has only allowed seven earned runs, has struck out 34.5% of opponents, and has a walk rate of just 6%. Another positive is that Oviedo has barely lost any zip on his fastball. He is sitting at 95.2 MPH in the minor leagues, compared to his 95.7 MPH healthy baseline in 2023.

Oviedo has returned to the Major Leagues for one start so far, taking the hill on August 4, but he struggled, allowing two earned runs, three walks, and needing 43 pitches to get through just a single inning of work. Oviedo's struggles aren't entirely surprising, given it was his first Major League start in nearly two years, but they sent him back to Triple-A immediately after. Oviedo may not be able to go deep into games yet, but he should be given the chance to stretch out in the major leagues.

Hunter Barco

Hunter Barco returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024 strong. His encore to the 3.27 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 1.06 WHIP he posted last season was reeling off 25.2 straight scoreless innings at Altoona to open 2025. In that time, he struck out 34 opponents while allowing just seven free passes. While his numbers have taken a hit since getting promoted to Triple-A, Barco should still make his debut by the end of the year.

His next 54.1 innings yielded a 3.98 ERA, 4.08 FIP, and 1.36 WHIP. The left-hander is still getting plenty of strikeouts and whiffs, with a 26.2% K% and 30.2% whiff rate, but has seen his walk rate rise to 12.1%. Like with Sullivan, there is a learning curve with the ABS system in place. Barco hasn't allowed many home runs either, with a 0.50 HR/9 ratio.

Barco utilizes a two-seamer instead of a four-seamer as his primary fastball. The pitch sits around 93 MPH, and has hit 96 MPH this season. His low-80s slider is what gets the most swings and misses with a 43.8% whiff rate. Barco uses a mid-80s splitter that averages out under 1000 RPM. It also gets whiffs more than 40% of the time (40.9%). Lastly, there is his mid-80s cutter. It is his least-used pitch, but it has held opponents to a .220 xwOBA.

If the Pirates aren't going to call up Chandler, they should at least give another one of their top prospects, Barco, a shot. He is in his age-24 season and will need to be added to the 40-man roster anyway to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He has a strong chance of factoring into the Pirates' rotation plans next year, so they should let him get a taste of Major League action before the end of the season.