Could Pirates Use Top Pitching Prospect To Improve Their Bullpen?

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to address their bullpen issues in the offseason to improve for next season.

The Pirates finished 76-86, but their is optimism for the future as they have a solid starting rotation headlined by All-Star Paul Skenes. One of Pittsburgh’s issues this season was the lack of production from their bullpen. Their bullpen ranked 27 in ERA and blew 36 leads this season.

Given the solidness of the Pirates’ starting rotation, MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf proposed that the team use pitching prospects as relievers to improve its bullpen. One specific name he mentioned is right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft.

“There were plenty of question marks in the rotation last spring, and Jones took advantage of the opportunity,” Stumpf wrote. “There’s a lot more depth this time around, so I don’t know if there’s a spot up for grabs. The Pirates haven’t had discussions about Braxton Ashcraft going into the bullpen, but his stuff would absolutely play there, and it could be a way to manage his innings.”

“Mike Burrows also has good stuff and could be a swing man. Obviously, you need starting-pitching depth, so you can’t convert everyone into a reliever, but they showed last year with Luis Ortiz that a trip to the bullpen doesn’t close the door on starting, and this team needs to deepen its bullpen pool.”

Ashcraft projects to reach the big leagues in 2025 and is the Pirates No. 4 prospect. He has been plagued with injuries in his young career, missing the 2022 season after Tommy John surgery. Given Pittsburgh’s starting pitching depth, utilizing Ashcraft out of the bullpen could preserve his arm while addressing a major need.

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