3 underrated players Pirates are deeply missing (who will return this season)

1. Johan Oviedo

Johan Oviedo represents yet another Tommy John recipient on the Pirates. Acquired at the 2022 trade deadline, Oviedo was once a top-10 prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system. MLB Pipeline placed him at No. 10 heading into 2021. Oviedo bounced around between the Major League roster and the minor leagues from 2020 through 2022, but finally got a shot at regular starts in 2023.

Oviedo tossed 177.2 innings while making 32 starts that year. Overall, he had a 4.32 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP. The right-hander only struck out 20.2% K%, and handed out a free pass to 10.6% of his opponents. However, he was decent at limiting hard contact, with a roughly average 88.5 MPH exit velocity and 7.6% barrel percentage. Overall, despite some progress, it was an up-and-down season for the young right-hander.

Oviedo tossed at least six innings in 15 starts. Only one of those 15 outings saw him give up more than two earned runs. On the flip side, he also had 11 starts where he allowed four or more earned runs, including five 6+ earned run outings. Given he was only 25 and in his first full season of starting Major League games, some bumps in the road should've been expected.

Oviedo was projected to play a large role in the Pirates’ rotation to open 2024. However, he instead underwent Tommy John surgery in December, eliminating him for the entirety of the forthcoming campaign. Oviedo looked ready to go for 2025, but suffered another setback with a lat strain. The Pirates placed him on the 60-day IL to start the season.

Oviedo could also make his return to the Pirates’ pitching staff in the second half of the year. Given their current starting pitching options and other youngsters on the roster, Oviedo will likely begin in a multi-inning bullpen role. He may make a spot start or an opener appearance, but regardless, having Oviedo back in any capacity in the second half of the season will be big for the depth chart.