Steven Brault, now the Pirates longest tenured pitcher, made his first 2021 appearance in the Bucs' 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays that was called after 6 innings because, well, they can do that now in spring training.
While he wasn't the self-proclaimed "freaking throwing machine" he was at the end of last season, Brault was satisfied with his one scoreless, hitless inning – except for one thing. "I walked a guy with two outs on four pitches and that's about as bad as it gets," said Brault shaking his head, "but other than that I didn't think there were many bad misses. In general it was pretty good."
Brault's outs were a fly ball, a strikeout and a soft line drive. "Not necessarily trying to do anything specific, just kind of go out and get outs as fast as possible," Brault explained. "That's the mentality I want during the season."
And that's the mentality that his manager, Derek Shelton, is looking for. "Consistency in the zone, within the zone, is really important and coming off the mound healthy," said Shelton. "Those are the big things early in camp, being able to put the ball around the plate, come off (the mound) and feel good today and feel good tomorrow."
Brault is able to feel better today, tomorrow and beyond knowing that, for the first time in his career, he knows he doesn't have to fight for a job. Barring an injury, the 28-year old lefty is assured of a spot in the starting rotation. "If they had gone out and signed four big-time starters and I wasn't guaranteed a spot again I would go in with the same mentality. So I don't think it changes too much."
But the easy-going Brault admits that if an outing doesn't go well for a pitcher trying to make the team it can get to even a guy like him. "Yeah, I think in general it's kind of like 'oh it's spring training" instead of 'ugghh, I've got to respond.'" That kind of thinking can snowball in a very bad way.
But Shelton has never really known Brault to be in a bad way. "One of the things that really stands out to me is the type of teammate he is and his ability to do what's best for the Pirates," Shelton said. "A lot of that was before me but the conversations I've had with him he was just willing to take the ball at any point and go out and compete. That's what you really like to have in a pitcher."
Now what Shelton could use now is some hitting. Obviously, it's very early but once again, the Pirates struggled at the plate, managing just one run on two hits and a walk. Brian Goodwin led off the game with a single but that was the only hit until Troy Stokes, Jr. doubled in the 6th inning then scored on an error.
22-year old Miguel Yajure, who came over from the Yankees in the Taillon trade, gave up a solo homer to the Rays latest phenom, Wander Franco, in the second inning. James Marvel allowed a 2-run homer to former Pirates phenom Austin Meadows in the fifth.
Cole Tucker was supposed to start at shortstop today but was scratched to a bruise on his left hand.
Lefthander Tyler Anderson is scheduled to start tomorrow against the Atlanta Braves in Bradenton. You can hear the game on KDKA-AM 1020 and 100.1 FM at 1:00.
