One starting pitcher who could be key for Pirates in 2024
With young talent in the field and a strong bullpen, the difference between a competitive or disappointing 2024 campaign for the Pittsburgh Pirates may come down to the team's starting rotation.
Despite adding veteran arms in Martin Pérez and Marco Gonzales, Pittsburgh has yet to make a splash signing to bolster its unsteady rotation. The Bucs took chances by signing pitchers to minor league deals, such as former Tampa Bay Rays second-round pick Brent Honeywell Jr. There are also stellar prospects in their minor league system, led by last year's first overall pick, right-hander Paul Skenes.
With no guarantee these signings will bear fruit or that most of their prospects will be deemed MLB ready by the end of the season, the Pirates may need some help. Those fears could be put to rest with a rebound year from Roansy Contreras.
The team's coveted prospect was set to blossom in 2023 after looking as advertised during the 2022 season. Instead, Contreras regressed mightily and posted a 3-7 record with a dreadful 6.59 ERA. Following continued struggles after a move to the bullpen, Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in July before being sent to the Florida Coast League.
Contreras eventually returned to Indy and finished the season with a 4.96 ERA in eight games, but he didn't get another call-up to the majors.
From 2022 to 2023, the velocity on all of Contreras' pitches dropped. The most concerning setback was with his fastball, which dipped from an average speed of 95.6 MPH to 94.3. The decrease attributed to his strikeout rate sliding nearly 3%, from 21.1% in 2022 to 18.2%.
His control also suffered, as his walk rate climbed to 10.6% from 9.6% the season prior. His ability to fool batters sputtered as well, with his chase percentage dropping to 29%. While narrowly above the league average, it was a 3.5% slip from 2022.
Red flags are waving, but not all hope should be lost. Only 24, the Dominican has time to turn around his career. If that sounds like a stretch, consider fellow Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller.
All momentum behind him seemed to be lost following a disastrous 2021 season that included a 6.17 ERA and a 5-11 record. Fast forward to last season, and Keller was Pittsburgh's ace and an All-Star. He even managed to finish the year strongly after a rough skid following the All-Star Game.
While it may be wishing thinking to aspire for Contreras to reach that level, spring training may prove to be the perfect time for the right-hander to settle in and regain some desperately needed confidence. His return to the major leagues would be a welcome addition as Pittsburgh seeks the next step toward a long-awaited playoff berth.
Last August, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington spoke highly of Contreras during an interview with 93.7 The Fan.
"We’ve all seen what he is capable of doing at the major league level," Cherington said. "He’s such a hard worker. He wants it as much as anyone. We have to support him and hopefully he will stay on the right track."
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