Fansided

Each MLB team’s most surprising player from April

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon

The Pirates opened the 2017 season with two of their top prospects in the starting rotation, Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow. Of the two, Glasnow is seen as having higher upside, but he has struggled to locate the ball in the strike zone and has walked 13 in his first 14.2 innings this season. Taillon has been much better, and is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA.

Taillon throws four pitches, and relies most heavily on his four-seam fastball, sinker, and curve. His curve has been his most effective pitch, and his sinker has generated groundballs at a high rate. Taillon will give up his fair share of hits as a sinkerballer, but will not get burned by extra-base hits.

Ivan Nova has also surprised by continuing his run of phenomenal command that started when he was traded to the Pirates at the deadline last year. He is now 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA in 36.0 innings with two complete games and a shutout. Nova has walked only one hitter so far this year. In his 16 starts with the Pirates, the right-hander has struck out 74 while walking four. This may go down as the greatest transformation of a struggling pitcher in MLB history if it continues to stick. Nova was taken for granted when the Pirates traded for him and re-signed him, but the magic of Ray Searage has turned him into a legitimate ace who cannot miss the edges of the strike zone.

Now, if the Pirates could just do a little hitting at the plate, their top three of Nova, Taillon, and Gerrit Cole just might have a shot at leading the team back to the playoffs. Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco are still looking for their stroke at the plate, and no one has been able to replace Starling Marte.

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