Pirates Reportedly Poach Key Coach From Astros Dynasty

The Pittsburgh Pirates have apparently found their new pitching coach, and he’s a good one.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported on Monday that longtime Houston Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy is leaving the Astros to become the Pirates’ head pitching coach.

Murphy, 36, spent 10 seasons with the organization, joining Houston’s Major League coaching staff as an assistant pitching coach prior to the 2021 season. He was elevated to co-pitching coach alongside Josh Miller after that season and spent the last four years in that role.

Together, Murphy and Miller oversaw one of the best pitching staffs in baseball during that time. From 2022 to 2025, the Astros led MLB with a 3.61 ERA while ranking third in pitching WAR and fifth in FIP.

Longtime Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy is leaving the team for a job with the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources tell @TheAthletic. Full story – https://t.co/E7qvEMYguA

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 28, 2025

Houston was one of the most successful teams in baseball during that time, winning more regular-season games than every team except the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Given Murphy’s success and his key contributions to the Astros, this looks like a great hire by Pittsburgh. Murphy has an impressive track record and now gets to work with a young, talented pitching staff that ranked seventh in ERA this season and features the likely NL Cy Young winner in Paul Skenes.

Murphy will replace Oscar Marin, who did not have his contract renewed after six seasons as the Pirates’ pitching coach. While Marin built a great foundation for Pittsburgh’s staff, the hope is that Murphy can help take it to the next level.

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