Jared Jones has earned something the Pirates can’t keep denying him

If this were any other recent Pirates season, Pittsburgh’s decision to keep Jared Jones on a tight leash would be perfectly understandable and even applauded. However, the Bucs’ playoff odds are essentially a coin flip, and a potentially dominant starter would tip the scales in Pittsburgh’s favor. It’s time for the Pirates to let Jones loose. He’s earned it.

Since shaking off an injury scare in late June, Jones has a 1.20 ERA in three starts (15 innings). He has displayed masterful control, walking just three batters against 23 strikeouts. That command has allowed him to work late into games despite being on a pitch count of about 75 pitches per outing. The Pirates need to let him push a bit further, not just for his own development but for the good of the team.

Jared Jones has earned the right to battle into late innings for Pirates

The Pirates have one of the worst bullpens in baseball this season. It ranks in the bottom third in ERA, WHIP, BB/9, and HR/9. If Pittsburgh can avoid going to the ‘pen early, Don Kelly should pursue that course. That means demanding more out of his starters, including Jones. If the front office picks up some bullpen help at the trade deadline, even better (and no, Ron Marinaccio doesn't count).

Jones may even have an advantage over these final few months of the season. He has largely avoided pitching against division rivals (aside from a rough start against Cincinnati). That unfamiliarity makes his wipeout slider even more devastating.

Pittsburgh has two series (home and away) against every division opponent other than the Reds, whom the Pirates will face in a four-game away series at the end of July. Jones could pounce on batters who may be seeing him for the first time ever (or at least the first time since 2024).

Jones rounding into form gives the Pirates a formidable rotation from top to bottom. If the Pirates make it to October, he and Skenes would make for a must-watch best-of-three series. But Pittsburgh still has significant work to get to the postseason. It’s time for Kelly and Co. to take a risk and put their trust in one of the best young arms in the sport.

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