Pirates' Don Kelly Addresses New Pitching Coach Hire

Kelly Praises Murphy's Astros Tenure

Murphy helped an Astros pitching staff achieve great feats throughout his tenure, including the lowest ERA and the second-best K/9.

He also played a role in the Astros winning the 2022 World Series Title, with the pitching staff leading the American League in both ERA (2.90), shutouts (18), WHIP (1.09) and opposing batting average (.212) that season.

Murphy worked with many great pitchers in Houston, including Luis García, Cristian Javier, Ryan Pressly, José Urquidy, Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, all of whom excelled under his tutelage and earned many honors and awards.

Kelly said to Mackey that while he only met Murphy once, he looked at how he built those relationships during his time with the Astros and how that made the pitching staff get even better.

“We can sit here and talk about data and analytics. That’s certainly part of it,” Kelly said. “But the relationships you build and how you continue to leverage those relationships to drive guys forward, he did a remarkable job of that in Houston.”

Why Did the Pirates Move on From Oscar Marin?

The Pirates didn't bring back pitching coach Oscar Marin following the season, who joined former manager Derek Shelton's initial staff ahead of the 2020 campaign.

Marin eventually joined the Cincinnati Reds as their bullpen coach, but the success of the Pirates pitching staff last season made his departure confusing for fans.

Pittsburgh gave up the third least home runs (153), posted the fourth lowest WHIP (1.22), seventh lowest team ERA (3.76), the seventh least walks (473) and the eighth lowest opposing batting average (.236).

The Pirates also led the MLB in shutouts with 19, two more than both the two second place teams in the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, who had 17.

Reports came out after letting Marin go that the Pirates pitchers wanted more out from their staff and that they believe they can get even better in 2026.

The Pirates boast a great staff, even outside of National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who is also excited for Murphy joining on.

This include rookies in Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler, veteran starters in Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo and then eventually, Jared Jones in his return from internal brace surgery nexts season.

It also features a solid bullpen, with options in Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson, Carmen Mlodzinski and Dennis Santana.

Kelly told Mackey that he sees Murphy as someone that will improve the Pirates' pitching staff and that his time in Houston proves that.

“It’s just continuing to challenge guys, to push them to continue to get better,” Kelly said. “The pitching staff is a foundation. Really believe strongly in his skill set, the knowledge and communication style he brings from Houston to be able to accomplish that.”