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Pirates' great Double-A pitching staff got even better with recent promotion
![Florida pitcher Hunter Barco (12) makes a pitch against Mississippi State during the SEC Tournament Tuesday, May 26, 2021, in the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
Sec Tournament Florida Vs Mississippi State](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2650,h_1490,x_0,y_200/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01j2wanyq4s1nkk0148n.jpg)
The Altoona Curve have had an incredible pitching staff this season, but they just got better with the recent promotion of left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco, the Pirates' 12th-ranked prospect. The Curve already featured multiple great pitching prospects in their rotation, but Barco helps them level up further.
Let's take a look at how good this Altoona pitching staff has been, and what Hunter Barco has done to get promoted.
Who have been the dominant Pirates prospects on the Altoona Curve pitching staff?
Bubba Chandler, No. 1 prospect
The Curve feature multiple top pitching prospects on the team, highlighted by the organization's best in Bubba Chandler. Chandler was not originally the top prospect in the organization at the start of the season, but promotions of rookie sensations Paul Skenes and Jared Jones resulted in his big ranking boost. Chandler is also coming off a strong performance in the MLB Futures Game.
This season, Chandler has dominated Double-A hitters with a 5-5 record, along with an earned run average of 3.53 in 63.2 innings pitched, striking out 71 batters. Opponents are batting just .183 against him and his WHIP sits at 1.01. He is definitely nearing a promotion to the next level, but for now, he leads the Altoona rotation.
Thomas Harrington, No. 4 prospect
Another dominant arm in the Curve's rotation is the Pirates' fourth overall prospect, Thomas Harrington. The right hander from Campbell University has been dominant in the minors, ever since being drafted in 2022.
This season, Harrington has a 2-2 record with an earned run average of 2.54 in 56.2 innings pitched and has struck out 59 batters. Opponents are batting just .236 against him, and his WHIP sits at 1.04. Like Chandler, Harrington is also nearing a promotion to Triple-A as well. He has dealt with an injury this season, but he is healthy now.
Po-Yu Chen, unranked prospect
Although he is unranked, Po-Yu Chen has been great in the Altoona rotation. He did not start the season off spectacularly, but has really turned it around and is making 2024 the best season of his young career.
This season, Chen has a 4-7 record with an earned run average of 3.90 in 90 innings pitched and has struck out 63 batters. Opponents are batting .241 against him and his WHIP sits at 1.24. He has really turned it around in the months of June and July. With this recent hot streak, he is another promotion candidate.
Luis Peralta, unranked prospect
Luis Peralta was recently promoted to Altoona after dominating in Greensboro. In six games with the Curve, he has still not allowed a run. In Greensboro, he allowed just two earned runs. He is on another level this year, which has been the best of his career out of the bullpen.
This season with Greensboro and Altoona, Peralta has a 4-0 record with an earned run average of 0.48 in 37.2 innings pitched and has struck out 60 batters. Opponents are batting just .143 against him and his WHIP sits at 0.93. Still, this extremely underrated southpaw has not gotten nearly enough attention.
Eddy Yean, unranked prospect
Although the Josh Bell trade appeared to be a disaster at first blush, the Pirates' return package is finally showing life. Eddy Yean is having an excellent season in Altoona's bullpen after struggling in three consecutive seasons in the Pirates' minor-league system.
This season, Yean has a 5-2 record with an earned run average of 3.04 in 47.1 innings pitched and has struck out 40 batters. Opponents are batting just .242 against him and his WHIP sits at 1.25. His walk percentage is at a career low of 7.5%, which is significant to his continued success. If he keeps it up, the Bell trade may not be a bust after all.
What has Hunter Barco done to earn a promotion to the Altoona Curve?
Hunter Barco is joining the Pirates' Double-A pitching party in Altoona after a great start in Greensboro. Pittsburgh's 12th-ranked prospect is pitching in his first professional season after recovering from Tommy John surgery just a year ago.
This season, Barco has a 4-1 record with an earned run average of 3.34 in 62 innings pitched and has struck out 77 batters. Opponents are batting just .204 against him and his WHIP sits at 1.10. Barco easily earned his promotion, and is also an underrated candidate to become a top-100 prospect in the entire MLB before too long.
This Altoona Curve pitching staff is special, and promoting Barco does nothing but make it better. Let's see if they can continue to develop the rest of this year. Consistency is important for all of these pitchers.