So far this season, JT Brubaker has been one of baseball’s best pitchers. The Ohio native has only made four starts but is emerging as the Pirates ace. After posting a 4.91 ERA last year, he has been a different pitcher in 2021. Although the season is less than a month old, the Pirates righty is off to a start he will never forget.
Through his first four starts of the season, Brubaker has posted a 2.01 ERA. In 22.1 innings of work, he has struck out 23 batters and only walked five. As the Pirates have gotten off to an 11-11 start Brubaker has been key to their success. So far this year, he has not allowed more than two runs in a start.
Additionally, Brubaker has been nearly unhittable. The twenty-seven-year-old is holding opponents to a .198 average. In his four starts, he has only allowed more than four hits once. The Pirates righty has also pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last three starts. Every time the Akron native has taken the mound, he gives the Pirates a chance to win.
J. T. Brubaker, Painted 87mph Back Door Slider. 🎨
h/t @AlexJStumpf pic.twitter.com/CMK0inyHct
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 17, 2021
In Brubaker’s last start, his growth was on full display. The Pirates starter went seven innings and only needed 79 pitches to get through the Twins lineup. Although Brubaker did give up two home runs, he was not afraid to attack the zone. Against a good Twins lineup, he was in total control and produced the longest outing from a Pirates starter this season.
Compared to 2020, Brubaker has shown better control. He has not walked a batter in his last two starts and only surrendered three home runs this season. When batters have reached base, Brubaker has limited the damage. In his second major league season, Brubaker is throwing more strikes and looks more confident on the mound.
With the 22 games in the books, the Pirates are third in the NL Central. For a team that many predicted would lose 100 games, it has been a surprising start. Their success has been due to solid offense and off late good starting pitching. Brubaker has to lead the way, and Pittsburgh has won or split their last five series.
As the Pirates look to exceed expectations, Brubaker will be trying to prove that he belongs in the team’s plans. This season, he is making a good case in a rotation that could look very different a year from now. Although the season is far from over, Brubaker has been the Pirates ace so far.
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