This underrated Pirates pitching prospect will return in 2025

If there's one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates' system has, it's pitching. Their system arguably has the best pitching depth of all 30 MLB organizations. But one of their more underrated pitching prospects, Owen Kellington, didn't even pitch this year. Kellington underwent Tommy John surgery this year, but he could be a name to watch during next season.

Kellington was among the many over-slot high school picks the Pirates took in the 2021 draft. Selected out of Vermont, Kellington posted some eye-opening numbers in school and was taken in the fourth round of the draft. His first extended look in 2023 certainly had its ups and downs.

Heading into July, the right-hander had a 4.57 ERA, 5.28 FIP, and 1.52 WHIP. He had some respectable peripherals, including a 26% strikeout rate, 29.9% whiff rate, 1.09 HR/9, and a .225 opponent batting average, but he struggled to limit walks with a 16% BB%. Kellington also did not limit quality contact at a strong rate, with a 9.6% barrel rate.

But he picked it up during the second half of the season, pitching to a 3.26 ERA, 4.22 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP throughout his final 38.2 frames. He reduced his walk rate to 12.9%, with his K% staying constant at 26.4%. Kellington limited home runs at a better 0.70-per-9 rate. The righty induced even more swing and miss with a 35.9% whiff rate. Batters had a more difficult time barreling the ball up with an 83.8 MPH exit velo and 2.3% barrel rate.

Pirates need closer look at Owen Kellington's arsenal in 2025

Kellington isn't a hard-throwing pitcher, only averaging out at 90.1 MPH, but features good ride through the zone. His mid/upper-70s curveball had nearly 60 inches of drop and was his most used breaking pitch. Kellington's low-80s slider induced a whiff rate of 46.6%. His go-to offspeed offering was a mid-80s changeup with a similar 45.5% whiff rate.

Despite not being a flamethrower and not having much mileage on his arm, Kellington underwent Tommy John surgery during the first week of May. Although that will likely keep him away for the first few months of the 2025 season, Kellington could return strong during the summer.

Kellington turns 22 in February, and he'll likely open 2025 at Greensboro. If he starts off strong there, he may see Double-A. The Pirates have had pitchers such as Mike Burrows and Hunter Barco come back strong after missing time with the same procedure, so hopefully Kellington can join them next year.