Pirates rotation moving forward

[Crimson's Ghost]

Right now, the Pirates are surviving with a make shift rotation, and the Bucs have played some solid ball in the month of June. Actually the makeshift rotation with replacements has held up better than some of the guys that started the year.

Gerrit Cole is returning Saturday, and he is you ace. He isn't having a great year, but he's been solid. Even when he's not pitching well, he can still gut out 6 hard worked innings and keep the Bucs in the game. The injury is not a structural one, so the hope is a few weeks off should have the shoulder rested and ready to go. It would be a huge blow to this team's chances if he missed any more starts.

Charlie Morton is your #2 and he's been pretty good. Sure he's had some rough outings, but his overall season outweighs that. The 8 losses are basically meaningless. He's been pitching well. His strikeout numbers are higher than ever, and sometimes that isn't a good thing for a "ground ball pitcher" but his ERA is the lowest on the team. They need Chuck to stay healthy. He's on pace for a 200 inning season. They need it.

After that is when things get fuzzy.

Edinson Volquez has had moments, and had some blunders. It's hard to figure out this guy. His last start he got lit up for 8 earned runs, and the start before that he goes 7 scoreless.

Francisco Liriano is on the DL, and has been bad nearly all season long. He's made some starts that look promising, only for him to falter around the 5th inning. They don't need him to be as good as last year, just better than what he's been so far this year.

I won't lie, I'm board with Vance Worley. Two starts so far, and he looks really sharp. 9K-1BB in 13.2 innings in 2 starts is dang good.

Brandon Cumpton has 8 starts this year, and has a 4.93 ERA to his name, take away the disaster in LA, his ERA is much better. He's been good at times, and he's been really good at times like yesterday.

Jeff Locke had a decent start in May, and Hurdle mismanaged him and ending up costing him and the team a win. Since that spot start he has returned to the rotation. 3 starts this month. 21 innings pitched. 14K-2BB. Awesome numbers, the kind that resemble his first half from last year.


And the wild card in the equation, Nick Kingham. With jameson Taillon going down, Kingham becomes the next available top prospect near the major leagues. Kingham has the traditional Neal Huntingon ideal build. 6"5 220. Overpriced HS right handed pitcher, that he took a gamble on and it looks like this one will work. Kingham was recently promoted to AAA. He's 2-0 0.64 ERA 10K-1BB in those starts. Reportedly has the big 95-96 mph fastball, and is a power pitcher in the mold of Cole and Taillon. Not supposed to be as good as those two, but can apparently bring it.


Right now I see it...

1. Gerrit Cole
2. Charlie Morton
3. Francisco Liriano (when healthy)
4. Vance Worley
5. Edinson Volquez (on a very short leash)
6. Jeff Locke
7. Brandon Cumpton
8. Nick Kingham (if all else fails)

[abpk2903]

The only 2 that I think are set in stone are Cole and Morton. As great as Worley has been through 2 starts he did have a 4.50 ERA in Indy and 7.11 last year in his time with the Twins. Locke has pitched well and Cumpton doesn't want to lose his spot either. Volquez better bring his best stuff tonight or IMO he has to be the odd man out. Liriano hopefully bounces back but you know management is going to give him 5 starts or so to figure things out. That puts us into late August.

Down the stretch here is what I would do:

1. Cole - not even a debate about it
2. Morton - the most consistent of the rest
3. Liriano - let's pray 2013 version returns soon
4. Cumpton - Outside of his 1 start in LA, he really hasn't had a bad outing in 2 years of spot starting.
5. That's hurdle's call...glad I don't have to make it.

[DragonsDoExist]

Worley will likely remain in the rotation ahead of both Locke and Cumpton due to the fact he has no minor league options remaining.

[Crimson's Ghost]

And but of course, Edinson Volquez has a lights out game yesterday.

[Crimson's Ghost]

As mentioned, Edinson Volquez pitched well in game one of the series. And through 6 innings, Jeff Locke is doing just fine himself. He would have a shutout going, but you can blame Polanco's first game in a dome for that one run the Rays have. Morton gets his chance tomorrow afternoon to dual with David Price. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out because Cumpton, Worley, and Locke all have looked good. Volquez has done enough to hang around also.

And oh by the way, Nick Kingham 6 2/3 only 1 run allowed tonight in Ind. Not bad for the 22 year old righty.

[abpk2903]

Seriously who comes out of this rotation????

Locke and Worley have been the best pitchers on the staff since their call-ups. Volquez hasn't given up a run in 2 starts. Cole isn't going anywhere. Is it maybe Morton that gets a magically trip to the DL for a while???

[Crimson's Ghost]

I would prefer the team leader in ERA,strikeouts, and innings pitched not go to the DL magically.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Nick Kingham had another fantastic start. In 4 starts in AAA he holds a sub 1 ERA, and is averaging 7 innings a start. Still only 22. Him and Taillon should be joining Cole as hard throwing power rightys next year. Could be fun if they all develop to be legitimate front end starters.

[abpk2903]

I would prefer the team leader in ERA,strikeouts, and innings pitched not go to the DL magically.

Why not? It's a long season. He has a history of arm problems. When an organization has 8 pitchers throwing as well as the Pirates do, why not give him a 15 day DL stint? It basically means giving him 2 starts off to rest and get ready for the stretch run.

[S Cube]

Yeah I kind of agree with abpk. Sometimes a little 15 day rest for "fatigue" is a good thing. It's a long season and if you have that many guys throwing well, why not try to limit the innings and keep guys healthy long term.