Pittsburgh Pirates Move Justin Wilson to Bullpen
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Pirates organization made a decision Tuesday afternoon that could impact the future of the franchise in a small way by moving left-hander Justin Wilson to the bullpen.
Wilson has started at Triple-A Indianapolis all season with mixed results will move to the bullpen immediately.
Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle said (via Kristy Robinson, Pirates Prospects):
"“We are right now transferring Justin Wilson into the bullpen for maybe an opportunity to be more impactful at the Major League level.”"
That’s likely a good move for the Bucs as Wilson has a plus fastball and there could be an opportunity with the big club to make his mark in the pen.
Wilson posted a 4.14 ERA in 23 starts, holding the opposing teams to just a .197 average and giving up just 83 hits over 171.1 innings. He has had problems with control though, walking 63 batters to go along with 121 strikeouts.
"“Command is his calling card,” Hurdle said. “That has been the one challenge for Justin moving forward. Whether it’s been starting, whether it’s been the bullpen. He’s the kind of kid that if that part of his game can be put under control, it could be special.”"
If Wilson figures it out in the pen, there’s the chance that he could be called up this season as Tony Watson has been the only lefty in the pen pretty much all season. Adding another capable lefty could turn into a weapon that Hurdle hasn’t really had the luxury of having since he came to Pittsburgh in 2011.