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Season storyline: Quinn Priester rejoins Pirates

Quinn Priester makes MLB return Former top prospect called up to majors following injury to Marco Gonzales   The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation to start the year he been a welcome surprise. Between Martin Perez holding a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) and Jared Jones setting the baseball world on fire to start his career, the rotation has kept them in most games this season. After Marco Gonzales landed on the injured list because of a left forearm muscle strain, Quinn Priester will be the next man up to continue the success. Priester’s first major league stint was not what Pirates’ fans had been hoping for. The former top prospect had lost some of his velocity and his good breaking stuff was not enough to make up for a fastball that was too hittable. The strikeouts were also not enough to make up for how hard he was getting hit in 2023. Albeit in a small sample size, Priester may be on the verge of a resurgence after working on those problems. After being drafted at ...
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Pirates extend Mitch Keller through 2028 season

Pirates, Mitch Keller agree on five year, $77 million extension

By Aidan Treu

 

The Pirates and starting pitcher Mitch Keller agreed to an extension through the 2028 season this morning. 

It has been a big year for Mitch Keller. 

Just under a full year ago, he was named an Opening Day starter for the first time. He went on to have arguably the best season of his career.

In 2023, the starter went 13-9 and pitched to the tune of a 3.80 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 105 earned run average+ (ERA+). His 210 strikeouts were by far the most of his career.

Jeff Passan broke the news earlier today, announcing Keller will be locked up with no options until he is 32.

The right-handed pitcher was also announced as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter this week. It will be the first time since 2015-2016 that the Pirates will have the same Opening Day starting pitcher for at least two years in a row.

Keller's career has been defined by hardships after breaking into the majors. In his first MLB action in 2019, the former top prospect had a 7.13 earned run average (ERA) in 48 innings pitched. 

He wouldn't have an ERA below 6 in a season with more than 21.2 innings pitched until the 2022 season. A breakout in the latter half of last year is when Pirates fans got to see the ace they were expecting from the minors. He finished 2022 with a 3.91 ERA, 104 ERA+ and 3.88 FIP.

His walk numbers have consistently improved since the 2020 season, with his walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) lowered every year since 2021.

The contract comes after third baseman Ke'bryan Hayes and outfielder Bryan Reynolds signed two of the richest extensions in team history.

The Keller deal is currently believed to be worth an average annual value (AAV) of $15.4 million. While Reynolds deal is worth more total money, Keller's AAV is the highest of a contract in team history, and the overall money is the richest of any pitcher contract in team history.

Considering the frugality of the Pirates' front office, it is clear they believe they have some potential with the core of Reynolds, Hayes and Keller.

Speculation is all we have this early into a year and with little precedent, but the Pirates may not be far off from competitive play. Perhaps a trade for the Marlins' Edward Cabrera that has been rumored recently, or a breakout from several of their top prospects, the young talent may be enough to push Pittsburgh into competition in a visibly weak 2024 NL Central.

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