Pittsburgh Pirates DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wouldn't commit to right-handed reliever David Bednar when asked if he is the team's closer in 2025. "I don't think we're ready to say that, but I think we feel very good with the fact that we have a guy who was a two-time All-Star closer," Shelton said. The skipper mentioned that Bednar had an abbreviated spring training last year and struggled early on before figuring things out and being really good. However, he eventually hit another rough patch with his command later in the year. Shelton fully expects the 30-year-old to bounce back in 2025, but it looks like the Pirates want to see him win the role in spring training over other arms like Dennis Santana and Colin Holderman. Bednar had a 5.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP a year ago and finished in a low-leverage role, so despite the fact he's saved 81 games over the last three years, his leash has tightened considerably.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' Grapefruit League game on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies was rained out, but right-hander Paul Skenes still threw a 45-pitch live batting practice session at LECOM Park, according to the team. The 22-year-old will have to wait to make his spring training debut in a game, but it has nothing to do with any kind of injury. The former first overall pick out of LSU took the league by storm last year in his MLB debut, going 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA (2.44 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, 170 strikeouts and 32 walks in 133 innings over 23 starts to become a first-time All-Star while also winning the National League Rookie of the Year honors. The sky is the limit for Skenes in 2025 in what will be his first full MLB campaign with the Bucs. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 2 fantasy pitcher and the No. 11 overall player.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski has been building up his workload to be a starter during spring training. Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette noted that there were discussions at the end of last season about Mlodzinski building up to a starter's workload for the next season. Last season, Mlodzinski made four starts (40 games) and held a 3.38 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied 46 punchouts across 50 2/3 innings. He generated an elite 2.8 percent barrel rate and a 35.2 percent hard-hit rate, which were both well above the average marks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Mlodzinski's status during spring training, as he could compete for a role at the back of the Pittsburgh rotation. He will likely be competing alongside Bailey Falter and top prospect Bubba Chandler for a spot in the rotation.

The Seattle Mariners have signed free-agent first baseman Rowdy Tellez to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. The Mariners are looking to add a little power at the left side of the plate. Last season, Tellez hit .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI across 131 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tellez hasn't quite been the same at the plate over the last two seasons, but he did hit 35 home runs during the 2022 campaign. The Mariners have Luke Raley, Donovan Solano, and Tyler Locklear who are all also fighting for a role at first base in Seattle. Tellez will have an uphill battle ahead of him to earn a spot on the 26-man roster.

After breaking into the big leagues last year, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones is adding a two-seam fastball heading into his sophomore season, according to manager Derek Shelton. Jones' four-seamer averages 17.1 inches of vertical break, but his two-seamer would move in the opposite direction. The 23-year-old has been experimenting with the new pitch in live batting practice sessions and should debut it in a spring game soon. Jones leaned on his four-seamer (43.3%) and slider (34.8%) in 2024 while throwing his curve (9.3%) and changeup (6.6%) sparingly. He began to use his curve more late in the year. It generated plenty of whiffs (32.7%) but also a lot of hard contact. A more effective third offering could make Jones more consistent and help him keep the ball in the yard more often. RotoBaller has the young arm ranked at No. 39 among starting pitchers entering the 2025 season.