3 Pirates pitching prospects who immediately need to transition to the bullpen

The Pirates pitching depth is deeper than ever, now showcasing three arms in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospect rankings. But that represents a "good" problem for Pittsburgh.

The major league rotation is already solidified with three pitchers who figure to be mainstays for the foreseeable future. With that in place, the Pirates should be looking to build up their bullpen with a few of their top pitching prospects instead of building them all up as starters.

With how shaky the Pittsburgh bullpen has been the last couple seasons, focusing on bolstering it should be the plan. This group of pitchers in the farm system is deeper than ever, so why waste this opportunity to find roles for as many as possible on the major league roster? (Only one of these three is a candidate for a promotion in 2025, while the other two are possible for 2026, if they get healthy.)

3 Pirates pitching prospects who immediately need to transition to the bullpen

Braxton Ashcraft

Braxton Ashcraft is the seventh-ranked prospect in the organization according to MLB Pipeline. He has electric stuff, but injuries have been a problem. Last season, he hit the injured list three times and managed to throw a career-high 74 innings. The point? Injuries have held Ashcraft back his entire career, yet he continues to be a starting pitcher in the minors.

For Ashcraft's health and effectiveness, he should become a reliever. In 2024, he had a 2.84 ERA with a 9.49 K/9 and 2.92 FIP. To begin 2025, it's completely different; his ERA is up to 5.10, along with a 1.56 WHIP and 3.88 FIP. It just seems like the best way to make this work is to use him out of the bullpen to reduce his workload and still deploy him effectively.

Anthony Solometo

Anthony Solometo needed a major bounce back in 2025, but he landed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He has dealt with other injuries in his career as well, so to keep him healthy, utilizing him as a reliever may be more useful. When his velocity drops (like it did last season), he does not have much success. Though he got back up this year to around 91-92 MPH, but obviously that came with problems.

If he transitioned to the bullpen, his velocity might be better deployed in short spurts. Solometo was really off to a strong start to begin 2025 too, tossing 10 innings and allowing just one earned run, two hits, and four walks with seven strikeouts. Solometo and Hunter Barco are the only ranked left-handed prospects in the organization, and the Pirates need to use them wisely.

Carlson Reed

Lastly is Carlson Reed, who is also on the injured list with back problems and should be returning soon. He was a closer for West Virginia University and was solid in that role. As a starter, he has been really great too, but the injuries he's dealt with since building up that inning count are holding him back from climbing up through the organization faster.

Last season, Reed posted a dominant 1.99 ERA with a 3.28 FIP and 10.77 K/9. His WHIP reached 1.08, stemming from an opponents' batting average of .173 and a 11.7% walk rate. With his success, maybe it is less necessary than the two others, but if his injuries keep occurring, it may be best to consider it.