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3 Pirates relievers who deserve save opportunities before the season ends

The Pirates need to see what these relievers can do as closers before the end of this season. Someone has to fill the David Bednar power vacuum.
ByNoah Wright|
Jul 30, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Isaac Mattson (72) celebrates their win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Jul 30, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Isaac Mattson (72) celebrates their win over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
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2) Dauri Moreta

The Pirates acquired Dauri Moreta in the 2022-2023 offseason in a one-for-one trade with the Cincinnati Reds. Moreta looked like he was on his way to becoming a high-leverage arm after a breakout 2023 season. However, Moreta’s chance of taking over that sort of role was put on ice when he underwent Tommy John surgery before the start of the 2024 season. But he is now back in action, and his first games upon his return have looked great.

The last time fans got to see Moreta pitch, he put up a 3.72 ERA, 2.93 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP over 58 frames. Moreta struck out over 30% of opponents with a 31.8% K%, as well as a 92nd percentile whiff rate at 33.6%. The right-hander had just a 0.62 HR/9 ratio and 86.7 MPH exit velocity, despite an 8.1% barrel percentage. The only major downside was his 10% walk rate and sixth percentile chase rate.

Moreta has appeared in four games, piling up 3.1 IP in his first games back since recovering from surgery. It’s a small sample size, but he has already struck out six opponents while only allowing one free pass. Moreta has also not allowed an earned run. Moreta has plenty of other qualities, other than a strong performance, that should earn him more save opportunities down the home stretch of the season.

Moreta’s four-seam fastball isn’t an overwhelming pitch, sitting around 95 MPH with slightly above-average movement. But the real key to his success is his slider. In 2023, his slider held opponents to a .218 xwOBA and induced a whiff 40.8% of the time. It is unlike any other slider in the game. Most right-handers who throw a slider see the pitch break glove-side. However, in Moreta’s case, it breaks arm-side. 

Moreta in a closer role would be fun. His opposite-way slider and his personality on the mound would make close ninth-inning games a treat to watch. Once he gets fully reacclimated to the Major Leagues after a long layoff, the Pirates need to see if Moreta can handle the ninth inning, as he should be an option on the table.

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