The Pirates bullpen last year was ranked 2nd in overall performance. That is where the crux of the problem lies, overall performance. The bullpen was pitching for a last-place team that could not hit. Many times, the bullpen came into games that were already decided, or the Pirates were at least 2 or 3 runs behind. The Pirates were out of contention for a playoff spot by the middle of May. In the things that really matter, last year’s bullpen was not much better than this year’s bullpen that is ranked 23rd. The 2025 bullpen only had a 58% save percentage, ranking them 24th in the league. This year’s bullpen is worse but not by much, having a 53% save percentage, putting them in 27th place. At the top of the list is the Houston Astros with an 85% save percentage. The Rays, Phillies, and Guardians are all at 74% and above. In allowing inherited runners to score, the 2025 bullpen was worse than this bullpen. Last year’s bullpen allowed 35% of inherited runners to score, placing them 23rd in the league. This year, they have allowed 30% of runners to score, placing them 15th in the league. I am a little upset with myself for not digging deeper into last year’s Pirates bullpen sooner and kept thinking that this bullpen was going to be good this year. However, let’s face it: I am an old retired veterinarian who plays golf every day and tries to keep track of the Pirates the best that I can. What is more alarming is that the Pirate management and analytics team did not seem to realize that this bullpen was not really all that great last year. This is supposed to be their job. It is obvious that they missed this since they did next to nothing to bolster the bullpen and even made it weaker by the end of last season. Let us take a look at each reliever’s body of work and not just when he went through a hot streak. These are the main relievers in 2025 and 2026. It will be a brief synopsis focusing on ERA, FIP, and ERA+ and the years each reliever spent in AAA and how he did. Be prepared not to be impressed.
Dennis Santana: He has a lifetime ERA in the majors 4.34. His FIP 3.89 His lifetime ERA+ is 98 slightly below league average. In 6 seasons in AAA he had an ERA of 5.93. With that background the Pirates eventually made him the closer.
Isaac Mattson: Lifetime ERA of 3.48. He has a FIP 3.94. A lifetime ERA+ of 127. In 6 seasons at AAA his ERA was 3.87. Isaac Mattson has always been Isaac Mattson. He has been a pitcher that seems to thrive on work. The Pirates stop using him as much. His effectiveness declined. What a surprise
Carmen Mlodzinski: By far the best pitcher out of the bullpen that they presently have. Lifetime ERA of 3.24. A FIP of 3.51 and an ERA+ of 134. In 4 seasons at AAA he has an ERA of 3.65.
Yohan Ramirez: Having a better year than I ever thought he would. Still his body of work is far from impressive. Lifetime ERA 4.43, a FIP of 4.58 and an ERA+ of 97. I think he is on a fortunate run right now and should never be trusted to hold on to a lead. However the Pirates have made him one of the mainstays of the bullpen.
The Pirates dumped Kyle Nicolas, Caleb Ferguson, Chase Shugart, and Dauri Moreta. All good movers. Two that they may regret are David Bednar and Colin Holderman. It may be just the volatility of the bullpen, but Holderman is currently having his best year with the Guardians. He has only allowed 2 runs in his last 18 outings. Holderman was always a mystery to me. He had a fastball that would regularly hit 99 to 100 MPH but would rarely throw it. At least he and Cleveland have figured something out for now. David Bednar is showing that the big stage in New York is not bothering him. He has not allowed a run since May 18th. No Pirate reliever can make that statement.
Gregory Soto: The first of the 2026 additions. A lifetime ERA of 4.24. Has not had more than 3 saves in a season since 2022. The Pirates make him the closer when Santana falters. Had some success early but not as much lately. Has had some outings where he has really been fortunate. Not somebody you are looking to put in the bottom of the 9th with a one run lead.
Mason Montgomery: Has some potential but right now the same Montgomery he has always been. Lifetime ERA of 4.66 and ERA+ of 91. He strikeouts a lot of batters and despite more than the average walks per 9 innings has a FIP of 3.23. In three AAA seasons he had an ERA of 5.40. He has had his ups and downs this season. He has not been bad lately and may be someone to look to down the stretch.
Brandon Eisert: Just added to the bullpen and he should fit right in. Lifetime ERA of 4.71 and ERA+ of 89. Lifetime FIP of 4.58. Basically replacing Evan Sisk.
Justin Lawrence: We would be remiss if we did not mention Justin Lawrence. He did not pitch much last year due to injury. In 17 appearances he was dominate only giving up one run. The Pirates were hoping that this was not a fluke. It was. He went back to being the pitcher that has a lifetime ERA of 5.34 and an ERA+ of 89. This all leads to a lifetime WAR of -1.4.
There are other pitchers that have come out of the pen this year for the Pirates, but those are the pitchers that have been doing the bulk of the work for the last 1 to 2 years. With that body of work it should have been no surprise that bullpen would falter. Add that to the fact that the Pirates thought it would be a good idea to put two pitchers who were starters their whole careers in the bullpen to start the season: Hunter Barco and Jose Urquidy. Barco was immediately put into high-leverage situations. Barco is on the IL, and Urquidy is starting to show some life as a starter in AAA, getting his ERA down to 3.67. The bottom line on all of this is that this bullpen does not need a fix but rather a complete overhaul. They did have that very good Saturday against the 1st place Brewers. To me, that was just another fluke. I hope I am wrong. It is going to be very difficult to improve this bullpen at the trade deadline. I will discuss this more on Friday and take a look at the schedule. Tomorrow, I will look at the Pirate propaganda coming out of the Pirate broadcast booth—what they won’t do just to try and sell tickets. They know how to make it up.
