Fansided · Nov 14, 2025
Extremely outside-the-box experiment could give the Pirates more pitching depth
Aug 25, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Oscar Colas (22) looks on as he returns to dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesIf there is one thing the Pittsburgh Pirates have seemingly figured out, it’s pitching development. Many of their former top prospects have shown a ton of talent in the major leagues over the last few seasons, like Jared Jones, Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows, Bubba Chandler, and Mitch Keller. Even if Ben Cherington can’t take full credit for guys like Burrows, Ashcraft, and Keller, given that they were former Neal Huntington picks, they still did most of their development with the Bucs. Plus, the organization has found many diamond-in-the-rough relievers in recent years.