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The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to have some very tough decisions in shaping their 2018 starting rotation.
In yesterday’s 12-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, Chad Kuhl was masterful, with eight strikeouts across seven innings while scattering just four hits against a powerful Cubs lineup.
Perhaps his performance was in response to Trevor Williams‘ seven inning outing against the Reds the day prior. Williams struck out five while allowing eight hits.
It has been burgeoning for some time, but the performance of these two pitchers has pushed the story to the front pages. As it stands now, the 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation should have eight viable candidates for five spots.
Though many still hold onto the belief that Kuhl is best served as a bullpen arm, that logic takes a ding with each solid start from the second-year Delaware product. Williams has shown more than enough to solidify himself as a bona-fide major league pitcher.
Nick Kingham will be out of options after this season, and Tyler Glasnow will be heard from at some point. Then there is the curious case of Steven Brault, who the organization has said will be working out of the bullpen almost exclusively, but will be getting a spot start during September.
Pittsburgh Pirates fans should be very excited at the thought of what their club’s starting rotation can potentially look like next season.
The forgotten prospect?
Pittsburgh Pirates INF Max Moroff had a day to remember yesterday, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a riverwalk solo-shot.
It was easily Moroff’s best day as a pro, and perhaps it reminded many of why Moroff was named the team’s minor league player of the year in 2015. Moroff is an interesting case for those who follow the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect crop closely. While he has endeavored to learn multiple positions, is a competent defender and has pop, he also finds Kevin Newman, Kevin Kramer and Cole Tucker hot on his heels, the latter two having taken great strides this year.
Moroff may end up as a stopgap or a bench piece. But he is — at the very least — starting to show that he belongs at the major league level.
Baseball Talk on the Web
- Travis Sawchik talks about that D.J. LeMahieu shift.
- Can Justin Verlander stop the leak in the Houston Astros rotation?
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