3 struggling starters Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin has revived

The Pirates' starting rotation is looking like a force for years to come and there is a lot of talent in that group. Over the years, though, Oscar Marin has done very well in Pittsburgh with far less talent, especially excelling when tasked to rejuvenate declining pitchers on one-year deals.

In fact, every free agent starter that he was given was signed to a one-year deal, looking to bounce back. He succeeded repeatedly.

2024 was Marin's fifth season with the Pirates, and a few veterans in particular stand out when considering the careers he saved. Let's examine what these arms did in their one year with the Pirates and where they are now.

Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin has done well at reviving the careers of these pitchers.

Jose Quintana

Quintana was actually a productive signing for more than his output on the field in 2022. He was dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline that season for Johan Oviedo, a piece of the Pirates rotation for 2025 (when healthy).

In 2021 with the Angels and Giants, Quintana put together an earned run average (ERA) of 6.43 in 63 innings and produced a WHIP of 1.73. It was looking like if he wanted to continue in MLB, he would likely be a guy waiting for injuries in the minor leagues ... that is, until he signed a cheap one-year deal with Pittsburgh.

He got the chance to contribute in the Opening Day rotation and was actually very effective. In 20 starts, Quintana posted an ERA of 3.50 with a FIP of 3.23 and put together a WHIP of 1.27. Those were more than just pretty solid numbers. He even improved upon them after he was dealt to the Cardinals. He finished the season with an ERA of 2.93 and a 1.21 WHIP.

Without the adjustments that Marin provided, it is possible that Quintana would have just bounced around in the minor leagues until retirement. Instead, he was able to sign a multi-year deal with the Mets and made a strong impact in the 2024 playoffs.

Tyler Anderson

The year before Quintana, the Pirates brought in Tyler Anderson on a cheap one-year deal. He was coming off a poor 2019 and mediocre 2020. He threw a combined 80.1 innings across those two seasons and was looking like he was in decline.

In that small amount of work, his combined ERA reached 6.27, with a WHIP of 1.58 and a FIP of 5.20. Things were not looking great at the moment he decided to join the Pirates. His decision flipped the trajectory of his career completely.

Anderson put up an ERA of 4.35 with a FIP of 4.27 and a WHIP of 1.20 with the Pirates that season. The Mariners were in contention and acquired him for Carter Bins, a catcher that has not come close to consideration in a backup role for the Bucs. The Pirates may have lost that trade, but nonetheless, Marin revived Anderson's career.

He went on to sign a one-year deal with the Dodgers, where he posted an ERA of 2.57 and a WHIP of 1.00 to become an All-Star. Then he landed a multi-year deal with the Angels and became an All-Star once again in 2024. Many attribute his rise to the Dodgers' pitching lab, but Marin deserves credit.

Vince Velasquez

The Pirates brought in Velasquez for the 2023 season. He has never been considered an effective pitcher, but in his short stint with Pittsburgh, he put together solid numbers. Unfortunately for him, he tore his UCL, resulting in Tommy John surgery, which ended his improved 2023 season abruptly.

Prior to signing with Pittsburgh, Velasquez was coming off back-to-back poor seasons in 2021-2022, throwing up a 5.62 ERA with a FIP of 5.16 and a WHIP of 1.37. Those numbers were not great, and at the time of the signing, he felt like a disappointing player to bring in.

Once he started to pitch in Pittsburgh, he put together a solid ERA of 3.86 with a FIP of 3.87 and a WHIP of 1.31. That turnaround was massive, but he got injured and has not pitched an inning of professional baseball since.

If he'd kept up those numbers in a full season with the Pirates, he probably would have also landed a multi-year deal, but Tommy John surgery got to him.

Marin has been a very solid coach in the dugout and has really turned mutliple careers around. Now that Brent Strom is at his side, this Pirates pitching staff could turn into one of the best in baseball. They have the talent, which has now been paired with some of the best knowledge in the game.