Pittsburgh Pirates: 3 Pitching Prospects Looking to Bounce Back in 2024

J.C. Flowers, a pitching prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, hails from Florida State University. He was drafted by the Pirates, and his career has shown versatility as he has been used as a swing man, making both starts and relief appearances.

Flowers was selected in the 2019 MLB Draft in the 4th round, showcasing the Pirates' confidence in his potential. Since then, he has been honing his skills, contributing to various levels of the Pirates' minor league system.

In terms of his pitching role, Flowers has demonstrated adaptability by taking on both starting and relief duties. This flexibility suggests that the organization values his ability to contribute in various game situations. With starters going shorter in games than ever before, a guy like Flowers could carve out a role as a swingman.

Reviewing his 2023 season in AAA, Flowers faced some challenges. His stats indicate a 2-1 record with a high ERA of 9.39 in 30 games, including 3 starts. His innings pitched (IP) reached 46.0, during which he allowed 66 hits, resulting in 50 runs (48 earned). While his strikeout (SO) numbers are decent at 45, the opponents' batting average (AVG) against him stands at .344. These numbers suggest a tough season for Flowers, with room for improvement in multiple aspects of his performance.

Comparing his 2023 stats to his overall career stats, Flowers' career has seen mixed results. Over 93 games (26 starts), he holds a career ERA of 4.73 with a record of 14 wins and 12 losses. His innings pitched total 222.2, during which he gave up 231 hits and 134 runs (117 earned). The career strikeout-to-walk ratio is promising, with 223 strikeouts against 99 walks.

To make a significant impact in 2024, Flowers needs to bounce back from his challenging 2023 season. With his previous success and the Pirates' investment in him, there is optimism that Flowers can overcome these hurdles and continue to progress as a valuable asset for the organization. It will be interesting to see if he is used as a starter or reliever to begin the 2024 season.