Pittsburgh Pirates: Thoughts on the Draft Selection of Carmen Mlodzinski

Baseball is a game full of surprises, and one of the most exciting parts is watching young talents rise through the ranks. In 2020, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a bold move by selecting Carmen Mlodzinski as the 31st overall pick. Now, the question on everyone's mind is whether the Pirates' front office made the right call regarding Mlodzinski's future.

Mlodzinski, a promising starting pitcher when he entered the Pirates' system, has been turning heads with his transition into a potential bullpen ace. With a jaw-dropping ERA of 2.17, his recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. But does this mean the Pirates hit a home run by shifting his role from starter to reliever?

For fans who've been following Mlodzinski's journey, it's been a bit untraditional When a team invests a high-value first-round pick in a player, the dream is to see them develop into a star. Mlodzinski was initially groomed as a starter, but the Pirates decided to switch things up in 2022. He was a starter most of that season with 22 of his 27 appearances being so.

However, the Pittsburgh Pirates had him strictly pitching from the bullpen to start the 2023 year.

At the end of the day, what matters most is the impact a draft pick has on the team, no matter which round they were picked in. If Mlodzinski keeps dealing with the bullpen, the Pirates will be reaping the rewards of their decision. Baseball is a sport of constant adjustments, and sometimes players shine brighter in new roles. Mlodzinski's stuff clearly ticks up more and is more effective out of the bullpen.

The situation might seem a bit puzzling because the Pirates are getting credit for recognizing Mlodzinski's potential as a reliever while also admitting they couldn't make him a starter. However, in baseball, being flexible and capitalizing on a player's strengths is key to success.

As Carmen Mlodzinski continues to light up the bullpen, younger Pirates fans should be excited about his journey. While the Pirates' front office deserves a nod for their decision, remember that it's Mlodzinski's passion and talent that matter most. So, whether it's a high-five or a fist bump, let's hope this rookie's adventure with the Pirates keeps getting better and better.