Even though Priester’s September numbers weren’t good (14 ER in 21 1/3 innings over four starts), they were definitely good steps. He was averaging more than one run allowed per inning over his first six career starts (29 ER in 28 2/3 innings), warranting a return trip to Triple-A on Aug. 15. One month later, he was back in the Majors and limiting opponents to a .259 batting average and a 1.41 WHIP in September -- much better numbers than in the shaky start.
Relief pitcher: Carmen Mlodzinski
Three things happened for Mlodzinski in 2023: He came, he saw, he conquered. OK, maybe a bit hyperbolic, but consider that Mlodzinski went from a starter to a reliever late in ‘22 at Double-A. He made 24 Minor League relief appearances before his June callup, and his first stint cemented him as a leverage option in ‘24.
Mlodzinski allowed more than one earned run in one outing last season, and it was his fourth career appearance. He was steady after that, especially in September, when he had a 2.19 ERA in 14 games -- and by that point he had earned some of the biggest spots with the game on the line.
READY FOR A FRESH START
Hitter: Alika Williams
Williams, who was acquired from the Rays for reliever Robert Stephenson in June, showed improvements at the Triple-A level after the trade, hitting .305 with a .915 OPS 128 at-bats for Indianapolis to earn his first promotion to the Majors. He hit .222 with a .600 OPS in his first 29 games, which isn’t far from what contact-over-power hitters experience in their first taste of MLB. But then things slid.
In his final 17 games of the season, Williams collected only four hits -- all singles -- from Aug. 28 onward. He’ll be in the mix for the second-base opening this spring, and he might have the most to prove of that group.
Starting pitcher: Mitch Keller
Keller undeniably had one of the best seasons by a Pirate in 2023, but many of the best results came in the first half. His second half was more than two ERA points worse than the first. He produced a decent run of results in August, but September was a rollercoaster of results.