MLB Power Rankings: Which pitching rotation is the best in baseball?

13. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates’ starters have thrown 313 innings. That’s the seventh-best mark in all of baseball.

The groups 4.20 combined ERA is more middle of the pack, though, at 17th in the game. They’re in the bottom half of the league in walks and strikeouts, but it’s the individual success that gives them this spot.

Jameson Taillon has been effective as the teams top option, with a 4.53 ERA and 1.1 HR/9 rate. Interestingly, lefties have hit .284 off him. Righties, though, are hitting just .213 against him.

Though he’s started just two games, Joe Musgrove has looked excellent. In 14 innings he’s struck out 12, walked four and allowed a run.

Chad Kuhl and Trevor Williams have combined for a pretty solid 3.89 ERA. Kuhl walks nearly four batters per start, but has struck out almost nine per outing. Williams has been stingy with the home run, allowing just seven in 68 innings of work.

At the bottom of the rotation, Nick Kingham has performed well in his four starts. He’s struck out 25 in 24 innings and walked jut four.

It’s odd that Tyler Glasnow has been regulated to the bullpen. He’s made zero starts this season and fourteen appearances from the bullpen.

While he was indeed rocked as a starter last season, it seems as if the organization is pulling the plug on him as a starter far to soon. He’s still just 24 years old.

Despite this, Pittsburg’s rotation has gotten along just fine. They’ve got some very talented young pieces coming to fruition in the majors.