PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – One of the players the Pirates are counting on to be a part of their rebuilt future made his Major League debut Wednesday night. He wasn't around for the finish of a 3-2 Cubs comeback win.
Right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras is the Bucs sixth best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The first pitch thrown was a strike, the second hit by the Cubs Rafael Ortega into right field for a single. Contreras would give up two more hits, but no runs, a walk and struck out four (including three straight) in his three innings of work.
Contreras called it a 'great start' and 'great beginning' and said he could have given more. Pirates had him on a strict 50 pitch limit as he's recently back from a right forearm strain.
"When I got on the mound I thought I would be nervous," Contreras said through Pirates interpreter Miek Gonzalez. "However, that wasn't the case. I got on the mound. I was filled with a lot of excitement and able to give my best."
"First impression was, 'wow, mature kid'," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "Major League debut, end of the season, he could have come out and overthrown. He didn't overthrew one pitch. He got through the first inning and after that really executed pitches."
Contreras was outstanding this season in AA. The 21-year-old was 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 58 innings. He said he wasn't shocked by the results, he really believed his hard work paid off.
He's the 17th different starting pitcher used by the Pirates in 2021. Contreras was one of the four players who came from the Yankees in the January trade of Jameson Taillon.
"There are really no words to explain the emotions and feelings one has when you make your debut," Contreras said. "My family and I are truly the only ones who understand what this means to us. This is huge. It's been an amazing experience. I'm very grateful for the Pirates trust in me with the opportunity. I look forward to coming back and helping this organization win."
Cubs scored a pair in the seventh to take the lead on a Willson Contreras double as the Cubs catcher drove in all three runs.
3B Reynolds
Bryan Reynolds became the first Pirate since Josh Harrison in May of 2014 to triple twice in a game. Reynolds had his first in his first at bat and stranded at third. The centerfielder with a RBI triple in the sixth inning that tied the game, he would score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. The Bucs switch-hitter is second in the majors with seven triples; only Arizona's David Peralta has more with eight.
"You don't see it very often," Shelton said of a two triple game. "The triple is something that has kind of gone away. Bryan is really swinging the bat well right now. Really seeing the ball well."
Reynolds added a couple of solid defensive plays including a smooth sliding catch in the eighth and jumping up against the wall to rob Contreras in the ninth.
Injuries
Up Next
The first in the Taillon trade to appear in the Majors with the Pirates starts Thursday. Miguel Yajure (0-1, 4.85 ERA, 13-IP, 10-H, 7-R, 4-HR, 5-BB, 10-K) makes his third start and fourth appearance for the Bucs against LHP Justin Steele (3-4, 4.86 ERA). First pitch at 6:35p with the North Shore Tavern Lead-Off Show at 5:40p.
