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Pittsburgh Pirates: 3 Pitching Prospects Looking to Bounce Back in 2024
The pursuit of a strong pitching staff is an enduring objective in Major League Baseball, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been trying to build through their minor league system. There are some big time pitching prospects that will be making their way up the system such as Paul Skenes, Anthony Solometo, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler.
However, the 2023 season has brought forth the realization that not all pitching prospects progressed as anticipated. This was even more apparent when the Major League staff started to falter. Pitchers like Quinn Priester and Luis Ortiz looked lost at times. Roansy Contreras was sent away after a disastrous start to the season and never returned.
While it would be nice for the Pittsburgh Pirates to actually bring in some quality upside starting pitching, it still is not the approach of the Owner or Front Office. They continue to bring in short-term veterans like Martin Perez and Marcos Gonzales. Yet, their top pitching prospects did not perform last year. Now of course there are more pitchers on the way, but its more of a quantity over quality. Pitchers Like JC Flowers, Po Yu Chen, and Jackson Wolf all could be parts of the Major League roster sooner rather than later. However, all three took steps back in 2023:
Po-Yu Chen, a 22-year-old left-handed pitcher from Taoyuan City, Taiwan, is an active player for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 187 pounds, Chen has been making strides in the Pirates' minor league system, showcasing his versatility in both starting and relief roles.
In the 2023 MiLB season, Chen exhibited a mixed performance with a record of 5 wins and 8 losses. His earned run average (ERA) for the season was 4.44 in 25 games, with 24 starts. While notching 124 strikeouts in 119.2 innings, he faced challenges, as indicated by a 1.38 Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP). Despite the ups and downs, Chen's performance highlights his ability to contribute effectively on the mound. While 4.44 is not super good, it also is respectable for a pitcher who has limited experience in professional ball.
Examining his overall minor league career, Chen has accumulated 12 wins and 17 losses in 57 games, with 56 starts. His career ERA stands at 4.19, reflecting a consistent level of performance. Over 260.0 innings pitched, he has recorded 271 strikeouts, maintaining a solid strikeout rate. The career WHIP of 1.28 stands out as reason to believe he has the stuff to limit base runners.
As a young pitcher, Chen's journey involves growth and development, and his 2023 season provides valuable learning experiences. The Pittsburgh Pirates could call upon Chen at some time in 2024. However, he needs to get off to a good start to keep his arrow from heading in the wrong direction.
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.
Jackson Wolf, a towering left-handed pitcher standing at 6'7" and weighing 205 pounds, became a key acquisition for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade that sent Rich Hill and Chi-Man Choi to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline. Born in Gahanna, Ohio, on April 22, 1999, and a product of West Virginia University, Wolfe was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 4th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
The 24-year-old made his MLB debut on July 22, 2023, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey. In the 2023 MiLB season, Wolf showcased his skills with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pirates' High-A Affiliate, posting 8 wins and 13 losses. Over 26 starts, he recorded an ERA of 4.13 with an impressive 135 strikeouts in 124.1 innings, maintaining a low WHIP of 1.11.
Wolf's transition to the MLB in 2023 saw him secure 1 win in the single game he started, pitching 5.0 innings in a spot start for the San Diego Padres.
So it seems as though Wolf could be knocking on the Pittsburgh Pirates door as soon as Spring Training this year.
Examining his overall minor league career, Wolf has accumulated 15 wins and 23 losses in 58 games, with 57 starts, and maintains a career MiLB ERA of 4.18. He has showcased his ability to dominate with 301 strikeouts in 269.0 innings, accompanied by a solid WHIP of 1.16.
As Wolf continues to develop, his performances in both the minor and major leagues suggest that he holds the potential to become a significant asset for the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching staff in the upcoming seasons. With his size, skill set, and early MLB experience, Wolf's trajectory looks promising, but he needs to bounce back in 2024.