In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
Remember in 2016 when Pirates fans eagerly anticipated the major league debuts of Trevor Williams, Chad Kuhl, Tyler Glasnow, Steven Brault and Jameson Taillon?
Yeah, I remember it, too.
I remember because I was one of those people pondering the possibilities of the Pirates having five young and capable starters that could make an impact at the major league level.
Fast forward a little under two years from then and we are faced with a time in which all five of those players have shots of making the Pirates opening day roster.
Yes, all five guys aren’t Cy Young caliber pitchers, but they are all in positions we thought they would be in.
Well, kinda.
Back then everyone thought Glasnow would be a solidified top of the line starter, but he’s still trying to figure things out and doesn’t even have a spot in the Pirates rotation. Or one in the bullpen.
Brault also doesn’t have a spot in the rotation, but seems like a more reliable relief option.
And then there are Williams, Kuhl and Taillon. The latter is now the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace with Gerrit Cole in Houston while Williams and Kuhl are pretty much the Pirates’ No. 3 and 4 starters, respectively.
In my opinion, Williams and Kuhl might be the most important members of that starting rotation as they continue to progress.
Everyone wanted to see these five make it to this point and no one wanted to see them falter and fail to live up to the hype.
They all had success in the minor leagues and were considered highly touted prospects who could have an impact in the future. But the future is now and those five young pitchers have to make strides this season and produce.
Pirates Guide – the perfect gift for a Pittsburgh Pirates fan
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Baseball talk on the web
- Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report takes a look at some bold predictions for the upcoming season.
- Plaques for Hall of Fame Cleveland Indians players will no longer feature the Chief Wahoo logo.
- Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy will likely miss out on Opening Day.
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