Who would have thought that on May 3rd the Pittsburgh Pirates would be 20-11, first in the NL Central, and second in the National League? Nobody thought that, except the Pirates themselves. With a core led by Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and an aging Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates cannot be stopped.
Starting off with the pitching rotation which is led by Mitch Keller who was given the nod on opening day. Keller is pitching to a 3.53 ERA, 3.70 FIP, and is putting up his highest K/9 since his rookie season. When it comes to what adjustments Keller has made this season, he has changed a lot of his pitch-mix from 2022.
Keller used his fast-ball as his primary pitch last season, but now has added the cutter as the primary pitch, which is a pitch he did not use last season at all. Keller also got rid of the slider and is backing off on the sweeper. He is using the sinker more this season.
If Keller continues to do what he is doing, his name can be one we hear for NL Cy Young late in the season, especially if they make a deep run in the playoffs.
Looking at the rest of the rotation, the player that stands out the most is Vince Velasquez who signed a deal with the Pirates in the off-season. Sporting a 3.06 ERA and 3.82 FIP through 32.1 IP. A big change in the righties arsenal is that he has basically gotten rid of the curveball, which was his third most used pitch in 2022. Nowadays, Vince is rolling more with the changeup, but using his fastball/slider combo which seems to be working for him.
Looking at the offense for the Pirates. The leader is Bryan Reynolds who was recently extended by the Pirates after having requested a trade in the off-season. This season, Reynolds is slashing .330/.372/.585/.957 with a 150 wRC+.
Bryan Reynolds so this season:
— Kody Duncan (@KodyDuncanPGH) May 3, 2023
(28)G: .330/.372/.585 (5)HR (1)3B (10)2B .957OPS 150wRC+
pic.twitter.com/aZazpyfPKE
Conner Joe, who was dealt from the Rockies to the Pirates is on pace to have his best big league season with a slash line of .298/.392/.595/.987 with a 164 wRC+. If he can sustain what he is currently doing, then the Pirates are on pace to have a lethal offense.
https://twitter.com/roundnthird/status/1652374282457030660?s=61&t=2fBGNEdwOdYGs9IWqWWb6w
Finally, the former face of the franchise and fan favorite Andrew McCutchen is back in the black and gold and has looked like his former self at 36 years old. Slashing .247/.354/.462/.816 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, and a 118 wRC+. If McCutchen can continue to produce at a consistent rate, then that is a 36 year old that you may have expected him to play his final season of his career.
McCutchen goes deep and gives the Pirates an early lead! pic.twitter.com/o4nCnxLwR8
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 3, 2023
Looking at the relievers, the name that easily comes to mind is David Bednar, who is the teams closer. Posting a 0.69 ERA, 0.98 FIP, and has nine saves on the season. Bednar is putting up 0.9 fWAR and has been the guy who will go in the ninth if available to pitch.
If the Pirates continue to win at the pace that they are, then they will be in the playoffs and definitely put up a fight against the beats on the National League and even some under the radar teams that can be sneaky good down the road.