PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates will have a local in their bullpen this year. Mars Area High School grad David Bednar has made the roster as first reported by RADIO.COM baseball insider Jon Heyman.
Other than maybe Kevin Newman, no one has had a more lights out spring than Bednar. The righty has pitched in nine games, allowed no runs, three hits, one walk and 17 strikeouts.
The 26-year-old came over from the Padres as part of the Joe Musgrove trade. In 17 MLB games, Bednar had a 6.75 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.
Bednar was a 35th round pick out of Lafayette College in 2016 and dreamed of pitching in PNC Park as a kid. The 6'1", 245 pounder inspired by AJ Burnett. He also remembers watching Mark Melancon, Matt Capps, Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli.
The last four all closers and a chance that Bednar starts this season as a Bucs closer or at least in a late-inning role.
"Knowing that each day you have to earn it," Bednar said earlier this month. "Being a late round guy, nothing was given. Just kind of go out and prove everybody wrong and earn each opportunity that I'm given."
"It was just so pure," manager Derek Shelton said of Bednar putting on black and gold. "His excitement for being a Pirate was really cool. It's exciting anytime you put your hometown uni on, but with the chance to play in the big leagues. It's pretty cool."
