Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Tale of Two Seasons for J.C. Flowers

2019 Florida State Baseball Season
2019 Florida State Baseball Season / Don Juan Moore/GettyImages
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From struggling at Triple-A to pitching well in the Arizona Fall League, 2023 was a tale of two seasons for Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitching prospect J.C. Flowers

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher J.C. Flowers out of Florida State University in the 4th round of the 2109 MLB Draft. Flowers came to the Pirate organization following a successful collegiate career in Tallahassee where he was a two-way star for the Seminoles.

Early in his professional career, it was unclear if his long-term role would be as a starting pitcher or as a relief pitcher. He made 13 starts in 21 outings between Low-A and High-A in 2021, posting a 3.78 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 78.2 innings pitched.

Then in 2022, Flowers made just a pair of starts in 33 appearances at Double-A Altoona. In his first action at the Double-A level, Flowers had a strong 2.88 ERA while issuing 24 walks and striking out 62 batters in 68.1 innings pitched.

These results led to Flowers starting the 2023 season with Triple-A Indianapolis. Flowers would spend his entire 2023 season with the Indians and struggle mightily. However, it would prove to be a tale of two seasons for Flowers.