The Pirates’ 2022 starting rotation started with Jose Quintana, Mitch Keller, JT Brubaker, Zach Thompson, and Bryse Wilson. Quintana, who was signed to a one-year deal and who many envisioned would become trade bait, performed well and indeed went to the Cardinals before the trade deadline along with reliever Chris Stratton in exchange for right-hander Johan Oviedo and infielder Malcom Nunez.
Mitch Keller, as I wrote in my article yesterday, was the feel-good story of the 2022 Pirates. He always had the stuff, just not the confidence. He came up the same year I began writing for Bucs Dugout, and I’ve enjoyed watching his development even when he struggled.