PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Chad Kuhl returned to the Pirates rotation in 2020, 19 months after Tommy John surgery to go 2-3 in 9 starts, 46.1 IP, 8 HR, 28 BB, 46 SO and a 4.36 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP.
Kuhl says if you take a deeper dive into the numbers. It was one hiccup that changed his season.
"I was super happy with how a lot of it went," Kuhl said. "How my body responded. How my arm responded. If you throw out that one game in Kansas City, we are looking at a whole different body of work. The numbers are completely skewed just from one start"
Really you could add in a short start against Cincinnati on September 6 (3-IP, 2-ER, 4-BB, HR, 64 pitches) where he ERA went from 3.10 to 3.38 and the whopper was against the Royals. Lasting 2.1 innings giving up 9 runs with 6 walks and his ERA shot up to 5.50.
The righty would make two more starts to close the year, 12 innings, 1 run, 5 walks and 11 strikeouts.
"Specifically after that Kansas City start," said manager Derek Shelton. "His ability to control himself on the mound. I thought we saw a much more mature. A much more emotional controlled Chad Kuhl. I think that's a sign of growth."
Kuhl will get to begin his 2021 growth when he gets the start of the Pirates for their Spring Training opener on Sunday.
The important thing for Kuhl was the aforementioned health, which allowed him to just pitch and not worry about his arm.
Now it's about improving his consistency, mostly with the four-seam fastball and he has a new grip with his change-up that he hopes improves that pitch.
It's a different environment now for Kuhl, the 28-year-old with a couple of years of MLB experience is now a veteran in the room.
He has Bucs top pitching prospect Quinn Priester and single A pitcher Max Kranick in his group and he's working with them as much as he can with COVID-19 rules.
"There's a lot of young guys that look really good," Kuhl said Tuesday. "Obviously a lot of good energy because there's so many guys who haven't been there, really want to get there, very close to getting there."
"There's just a bunch of good energy from young guys competing for spots."
The reason for the competition were the trades that sent Joe Musgrove to San Diego and Jameson Taillon to the Yankees and the release of Trevor Williams, who signed with the Cubs.
"Super happy that those guys are getting new opportunities," Kuhl said. "Been in contact with those guys. They are super happy with their situations."
As for Kuhl's situation as a remaining starter with Steven Brault.
"Going in trying to win ballgames and get better and bring these young guys along," Kuhl said.
Liv Not in Camp
All of the Pirates have now arrived in Bradenton except for non-roster invitee, shortstop Liover Peguero. The 20-year-old Dominican Republic native came over in the Starling Marte trade. He hit .326 with 5 homers, 38 RBI and 11 steals in 60 games in Rookie Ball and Low A in 2019 with Arizona.
