Boscan intriguing addition to Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed their first order from the Indianapolis Indians starting pitching factory today.

Much to the chagrin of the Pirates fan base, it will be Wilfredo Boscan, not Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, or Chad Kuhl, who will be the first Indians starting pitcher to make his major league debut. Given the nature of his promotion with Cory Luebke being optioned after 3.2 innings difficult to forget for all the wrong reasons and complete lack of any news regarding an injury, thankfully, to someone in the rotation, Boscan will likely be used as a middle reliever.

With more notable options available in the Pirates’ minor league system, Boscan’s future with the big league club was never going to be as a starter. Luebke has been a disaster as a reclamation project this season, while Boscan has been on the opposite end of the spectrum after joining the Pirates prior to the 2015 season. He was called up three times in 2015, but each time resulted in him being optioned back before making his debut.

For lack of better options, this time is likely different. In seven starts with the Indians this season, Boscan has a record of 3-4 with a 2.48 ERA. His ERA ballooned after his last start by nearly a run. It wasn’t a quality start, but Boscan is certainly an innings eater with only two outings less than six innings this season.

The big factor that could give Boscan an opportunity to be successful as a reliever in the major leagues is his results the first time through the lineup with the Indians in 2016. Opposing batters are slashing .230/.254/.279 in 61 at-bats the first time through the lineup this season. He’s surrendered 11 singles, walked one, hit one batter, struck out 11, and got one batter to ground into a double play.

Minor league success doesn’t necessarily translate to the majors, but Boscan has clearly changed. More importantly, the bullpen may be his only opportunity to remain in the Pirates’ system.

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