PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He grew up watching some of the best Pirates, now he takes another step in becoming one of them. Mars HS graduate David Bednar named the Pirates representative for the MLB All-Star Game.
Bednar is having a fantastic season, 3-2, 2.25 ERA, 15 saves with 53 strikeouts in 40 innings to just 12 walks and one wild pitch. The righty has a 0.975 WHIP and hitters have a .186 batting average against him.
He joins a number of Pirates relievers recently selected since 2000-Felipe Vazquez, Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, Joel Hanrahan, Evan Meek and Mike Williams.
Bednar is the first Pirates player since Dick Groat (Swissvale High School) in 1962 to play in the All-Star Game from the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League).
Former Buccos
Clay Holmes
How is it possible that right-hander Clay Holmes is an All-Star? The 29 year-old had a 4.93 ERA with the Pirates at this time last year. His WHIP was average at best at 1.429 and his walks per 9 innings was horrible at 5.4.
Holmes was traded to the Yankees infielder Diego Castillo and Hoy Park. It appeared to be a steal for the Pirates. This season though Holmes has been nearly unhittable. He’s 4-0 with a 0.46 ERA walking six in 39.1 innings with 40 strikeouts. His WHIP is 0.737 and he hasn’t allowed a home run.
Joe Musgrove
Unlike with Holmes, you could see the star rising with Musgrove when he was traded last off-season. He had leadership qualities and had his first sub-four ERA in his final season with the Pirates. The San Diego righty has really blossomed this year, 8-2 with a 2.09 ERA, 98 strikeouts to 23 walks in 99 innings with a 0.929 WHIP.
Starling Marte
Much like with Musgrove, Marte traded for finances as much as anything. The outfielder bounced around with the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Oakland and now a couple years removed from the Pirates at 33-years-old, Marte is an All-Star for the second time. Marte hitting .291 for the Mets with 18 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBI and a .342 OBP. He also has six outfield assists this season.
Gerrit Cole
A fifth selection, four of the last five seasons, for the Pirates former first overall pick in 2011. Cole is 8-2 with a 3.26 ERA with 124 strikeouts to 29 walks in 99.1 innings. His WHIP is 1.027 and he strikes out 11.2 batters per nine innings. The 6’4” Yankees righty has these numbers despite allowing 16 home runs.