Although the Pittsburgh Pirates left something to be desired in the 2024 season, finishing with a 76-86 record for the second season in a row, they are heading in the right direction.
Pittsburgh was in the playoff hunt for most of the season, but a rough stretch in August took them out of contention. The Pirates pitching staff, headlined by superstar starter Paul Skenes, is set to electrify the league.
MLB.com’s Will Leitch mentioned something every team should be thankful for this season. Leitch cited the Pirates’ pitching staff and their potential to be disruptive in a playoff run.
“Paul Skenes is reason enough to be thankful, of course, but don’t forget Jared Jones and Mitch Keller,” Leitch writes. “If the Pirates are ever able to sneak in the playoffs — and they just might in 2025 — that’s a triumvirate no one will want to deal with.”
Skenes put together a historic rookie season, going 11-3 with a blistering 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. The young fireballer was named an All-Star and became only the second player in franchise history to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, joining outfielder Jason Bay who won the award in 2004.
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Fellow rookie Jared Jones and Mitch Keller are also great pieces in the rotation. Before the All-Star break, Keller was 10-5, and Jones was 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA. Both pitchers struggled in the second half of the season but should bounce back in 2025.
Luis Ortiz showed promise, ending the season strong. To round out the rotation, the Pirates have multiple top prospects ready for the big leagues, like Bubba Chandler. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff could propel the team to the playoffs next season.
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