PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When his name was first revealed as part of the Joe Musgrove trade, reaction was 'oh great, Pirates added a local'. Reliever David Bednar went from being known as a Mars grad to now being a part of their future.
The right-hander came into this year with 17 career games with the Padres going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA. He left his first Pirates Spring Training as the team leader in strikeouts without giving up an earned run and walking one.
Now he's growing from a novelty being from Pittsburgh and playing a Steelers cheer song as walk-up music. The 26-year-old is setting himself up to be the Pirates closer. Even though the 6'1", 245-pound Bednar says he's not thinking about that. Just working on getting better.
What has accelerated that growth?
"The development of the curveball," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "The curveball was the third pitch coming out of Spring Training and definitely a work in progress. I give credit to Mess (Bullpen Coach Justin Meccage) and Oscar (Pitching Coach Oscar Marin) and David himself. I think it just continues to get better."
"You talk about development. Here's a guy with elite fastball, above average split and now all of a sudden he's added another thing into his arsenal."
"I think the biggest development change has been the curveball," Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings echoed. "He came into spring and said I feel like I have a pretty good feel for my curveball and would like to use it more. I was like sure, let's see what you got. Turns out he was right and it's a pretty good pitch."
Bednar says he always believed in the curve, but admits his confidence has grown with it. He feels like he can be more aggressive, use it in any count and isn't afraid to use it with runners on base.
Since June 30, Bednar allowed two runs. Total. His ERA is 0.66 over that span with 6 walks and 35 strikeouts over 27.2 innings.
"Big boost to the confidence," Bednar said. "Going about my process. Go out and competing every single day and having some results that come with it. It elevates it even more."
"Playing behind him is fun," said Pirates shortstop Kevin Newman. "You know what you are going to get when he goes on the mound. He's going to give us everything he's got."
"He's got good stuff. Putting the game on the line in his hands is a good feeling as a defense behind him. We are ready when he comes in."
"I love David," Stallings said. "I love catching him. He has really good feel. Can really throw the ball where he wants to and is just an awesome dude."
"Carrying that through the rest of this year and into the off-season and into next year," Bednar said. "Still just doing stuff every single day, doing stuff and competing."
And not thinking about being the closer for his hometown team or so he says now.
