Today, we take a look at how the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff, in particular the starters, performed and what is to be expected of them next year.
Overall, the Pirates pitching staff finished with a 3.21 ERA as a unit. Eight starting pitchers were used throughout the 162-game season combining for a 3.51 ERA.
Let’s take an individual look at the pitching staff and the six starters who appeared in the rotation down the stretch:
The Starters
Gerrit Cole
The Season: The ace of the staff, Cole finished the season with 19 wins and a 2.60 ERA. In 32 games on the mound for the Pirates this season, Cole amassed 202 strikeouts while walking only 44 hitters. The key to Cole’s sustained success was his ability to stay healthy as he stayed off the disabled list.
What’s Next?: Cole will be the number one starter for the Pirates in 2016. Will he start on Opening Day? That remains to be seen. Cole will be coming off his most successful Major League campaign and in order to one-up his performance from 2015, the ace will need to develop an effective third pitch. Relying heavily on his fastball and slider this season using them at 67.1% and 21.2% respectively, Cole will need to rely more on his changeup and curveball to keep hitters off balance. Look for Cole to develop into a perennial Cy Young Award candidate with his performance in 2016.
Francisco Liriano
The Season: The southpaw finished with 12 wins and seven losses on the season after appearing in 32 games for the Pirates this year. Liriano led the team in strikeouts with 205 on the season. He finished with a 3.38 ERA identical to his 2014 ERA.
What’s Next?: The 31 year-old left hander is signed through 2017 with the Pirates which solidifies his place as the number two starter behind Gerrit Cole. Liriano provides the back-end of a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation with Cole. Expect Liriano to be a solid number two pitcher in 2016 and barring any major health concerns, continue to lead the team in strikeouts.
A.J. Burnett
The Season: Back in Pittsburgh after a season across the Keystone State in Philadelphia, Burnett returned to 2013 in what he claimed to be his final season. His swan song included a 3.18 ERA which was the best of his career while he struck out 143 hitters.
What’s Next?: Burnett announced early in the season he would be returning to the Pirates so he could retire a member of the team. Could Burnett go another year? Absolutely. He did not pitch like a 38 year-old in 2015 and an elbow injury limited what he was able to do throughout the month of August. Is it likely Burnett comes back for one more year? Anything is possible yet this would be a very unlikely case. Help is on the way in the minors to fill the void left by Burnett on the mound, but where he will be missed most is the clubhouse.
Charlie Morton
The Season: Morton appeared in 23 games after missing the first part of the season following offseason hip surgery. Frustrating at times, Morton seemed to be unable to avoid the big inning in a majority of his starts. He averaged 86.7 pitches per game, lowest among the Pirates rotation. Morton finished the season with a 4.81 ERA, worst among starting pitchers for the Pirates.
What’s Next?: The sinkerballer is under contract with the Pirates through 2016 with an option year as well. Morton will most likely be in the rotation next year as a fourth or fifth starter. It seems as though he will be a stopgap until the future of Pirates pitching is ready in the minors.
Jeff Locke:
The Season: Locke had what some consider an abysmal summer. The only Pirates starting pitcher in the rotation with a losing record (8-11), Locke seemed to be lost on the mound at times. Ending the season with a 4.49 ERA, Locke started 30 games for the Pirates.
What’s Next?: Locke is the most expendable option in the rotation for next season as he has not come close to the form which made him an All-Star in 2013. If the Pirates are unable to move Locke or re-sign J.A. Happ, he will return as the fifth starter. Expect Locke to be dealt for needed depth or prospects. If Locke starts the season in the Pirates rotation it would be a big surprise.
J.A. Happ
The Season: Acquired at the trade deadline from Seattle for minor leaguer Adrian Sampson, Happ was arguably the best pitcher in the Pirates rotation down the stretch. After starting the season in Seattle with mixed results, Happ shut down National League lineups to the tune of a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts. Finishing with 69 strikeouts in a little more than 63 innings for the Pirates, Happ provided a spark to a pitching staff that lost Burnett for the month of August due to injury. Happ developed into the most valuable pitcher during the Pirates chase for the division.
What’s Next?: Happ was on a $6.7 million team option for the 2015 season which leaves him as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Happ would be a great free agent signing for the Pirates this winter. His successes in working with pitching coach Ray Searage were evident after his first appearance with the Pirates giving up four earned runs in four and one-third innings of work. After that outing, Happ would go on to give up two runs or less in 10 of his next 11 appearances. Signing Happ would give the Pirates another quality left handed arm to compliment Liriano. Expect Happ to be paid in the $8-10 million range for whichever team he signs for.
Tomorrow, the bullpen will be the topic of discussion.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
