This Pirates arm is quickly becoming a bright spot fans didn’t expect

No position in baseball is as mercurial as that of a relief pitcher. Bullpen arms have never had a shorter lifespan, especially those that were never able to establish themselves as closers. Many often find themselves bouncing between the minors and the majors during the season and between teams during the offseason.

That has been the story for Yohan Ramírez but this year, he seems ready to finally make a name for himself with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

This isn't Ramírez's first time with the team. The Guardians traded him to the Pirates in exchange for cash in 2022 and he performed admirably although he was ultimately designated for assignment in September 2023 and claimed by the White Sox. After bouncing around to the Mets, Orioles, Dodgers, and Red Sox, he signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates in October 2024.

In 2025, he pitched 33.1 innings to a 5.40 ERA and underwent some more contract confusion. Based on this swirl, it didn't seem like anyone believed he could be an effective major league arm. After all, prior to the start of this season, he had posted a career 4.71 ERA with a 4.66 FIP across 202.1 innings and when he signed a contract to avoid arbitration, it seemed like an underwhelming move.

However, he had an exceptional spring training, managing elite chase (41.5%) and hard-hit rates (26.1%). Through his first 4.2 innings in the regular season, the pattern continued and allowed him to maintain a perfect 0.00 ERA.

Elevating his sweeper to be the workhorse of his arsenal has allowed Ramírez's three other pitches (four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker) to flourish as well.

Yohan Ramírez looks poised to be an unexpected surprise for Pittsburgh

Ramírez's scoreless streak eventually ran out when he gave up an RBI double to Taylor Ward in the seventh inning of Pittsburgh's 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Still, one earned run and seven strikeouts through four relief appearances is a solid start to the season for a pitcher who looked like a non-tender candidate only a few months ago.

The Pirates have no shortage of pitching talent. In addition to Paul Skenes, the rotation is stacked with young arms like Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft and in the bullpen, Dennis Santana has continued the momentum he started last year.

Along with news that the team is actively pursuing a Konnor Griffin extension, it seems like Pittsburgh baseball may finally be turning a corner. Ramírez may not be as recognizable of a name as these players but he's already proving his worth.

The front office receives its fair share of flak for not being willing to spend but they're hardly the only frugal organization in MLB. If they want to find an ideal balance between being financially conservative while still playing competitive baseball, it will require finding more hidden gems like Ramírez.

For years, he has demonstrated that he has the stuff to succeed as a big-league reliever. Now, he has finally figured out how to put it all together.