Ranking every Pirates MLB debut from the 2024 season

A highly unique 2024 season for the Pittsburgh Pirates featured seven major league debuts, including the National League Rookie of the Year winner and a 33-year-old veteran. Some of them solidified spots on the Pirates for 2025 and longer, while some earned themselves a ticket right back down to Indianapolis.

Let's go back to every single game in which the Pirates had a player debut for the first time in their careers, and rank which performances were the best.

Which Pirates' MLB debut from 2024 was the best?

7. Brady Feigl, Aug. 26 vs. the Chicago Cubs

For the first time in his career, Brady Feigl toed a big-league rubber this summer at the age of 33. He had been in the minor leagues since 2014, but finally got the chance after a long minor-league journey to reach the next level with Pittsburgh.

In Feigl's first game, he pitched 1.2 innings and allowed seven hits and six home runs. It was not productive at all, which led to a quick demotion back to Indianapolis, but at least he can say that he pitched in Pittsburgh.

6. Grant Koch, May 29 vs. the Detroit Tigers

In a double header against the Tigers, Grant Koch got to go up to the plate five times, but did not have a very memorable performance. He pinch hit in Game 1 and started in the second, which accounted for two of the three total MLB games he appeared in last season.

On Koch's first day, he struck out four times and walked once, later scoring a run. He did get to score a major league run, but he went 0-for-4, with all of the outs coming via strikeout. He appeared in one more game before getting sent back down.

5. Nick Yorke, Sept. 16 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals

The Pirates acquired Nick Yorke at the MLB Trade Deadline, but he did not make his way to Pittsburgh until the season's final month. He appeared in his first game against the Cardinals and went hitless, but wasn't as bad as Koch.

Yorke went 0-for-3 at the plate, striking out once, but found a way on base and even stole a bag. Although he did not pick up his first hit until the next night, he was able to make his precence felt. He put together some strong performances in the weeks to come, which may put him in position to contribute in Pittsburgh next year.

4. Paul Skenes, May 11 vs. the Chicago Cubs

The Rookie of the Year award winner got off to a bit of a shaky start in his debut, resulting in his middling ranking here. Before Skenes emerged as one of the best pitchers in the world, he faced the Cubs and struggled a bit in his first major league start.

Skenes tossed four innings and allowed six hits, two walks, and three earned runs while striking out seven batters. A debut to remember for sure, but what he accomplished afterward made for a far better rookie season.

3. Mike Burrows, Sept. 28 vs. the New York Yankees

Mike Burrows relieved Skenes' last start of the season and did not do poorly at all. His 2024 was all about recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was able to make his first appearance at the end of the season as a just reward for all that difficult rehab.

Against the Yankees, Burrows tossed 3.1 innings and gave up two hits, three walks, and an earned run while striking out two opponents. Although his control was shaky, he impressed to the point that he could be in consideration for a long relief role in 2025.

2. Billy Cook, Sept. 8 vs. the Washington Nationals

Another addition from the Trade Deadline was Billy Cook, and he debuted in September as well. He put together a solid performance in his first opportunity in the majors.

Cook went 2-for-4 at the plate with a single, a double and two runs batted in. Additionally, he made a ridiculous catch into the netting at first base. It was a great first impression for Cook, which was among the best debut showings from 2025.

1. Jared Jones, March 30 vs. the Miami Marlins

After one of the best spring trainings a player could have, Jared Jones won a spot in the Opening Day rotation and had a great first start in the big leagues.

Jones delivered 5.2 innings of three-run ball, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. He generated 22 whiffs, which is the highest ever total from a pitcher making his MLB Debut. Jones was also the first Pirate since 1992 to strike out double-digit batters in his first start. That historically solid start earned him the top-ranked Pirates debut from 2024.