Pirates promote No. 4 prospect Hunter Barco for MLB debut

The Pittsburgh Pirates are turning to one of their most promising young arms as they get set to face the Cincinnati Reds. They’re calling up 24-year-old lefty Hunter Barco.

Barco ranks as the team’s No. 4 prospect and sits at No. 82 overall in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. This promotion matters not just for what he might do on the mound, but for how the Pirates are shaping their roster for the future.

He’s looked strong in both Double-A and Triple-A this season. Barco seems ready for his first crack at the big leagues, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel a bit curious about how he’ll handle it.

Barco’s Path to the Big Leagues

Barco kicked off his 2024 season in Double-A Altoona, and he basically dominated. In six starts, he didn’t allow a single run and racked up strikeouts at an impressive clip.

The Pirates’ front office noticed his command and calmness against tougher hitters. The Florida product clearly looked ready for the next step.

Triple-A Success and Challenges

After moving up to Triple-A Indianapolis, Barco kept proving himself, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He struck out a hefty 25.4% of batters, flashing some nasty swing-and-miss stuff.

But his walk rate jumped to 5.1 per nine innings, so control is still a work in progress. Even with the walks, he managed a solid 3.79 ERA over 21 appearances—17 of them starts—which says a lot about his ability to pitch under pressure.

Season Stats that Stand Out

Across Double-A and Triple-A, Barco’s season numbers look like this:

• 4-1 record
• 2.81 ERA
• 99 1/3 innings pitched
• 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings

The Rule 5 Factor

Barco’s call-up also ties into MLB’s Rule 5 Draft eligibility rules. If a player isn’t on the 40-man roster after a certain point, other teams can grab them in the draft.

The Pirates didn’t want to risk losing someone like Barco, so bringing him up felt like the obvious move.

Breaking Down Barco’s Arsenal

Barco’s success comes from a well-mixed arsenal, each pitch designed to mess with hitters’ timing and confidence. His main weapon? A 93 mph sinker that’s holding opponents to a tiny .194 batting average.

Secondary Pitches that Pop

He backs up the sinker with a slider and splitter, both generating whiff rates close to 40%. The slider keeps righties guessing, while the splitter drops late and is tough to square up.

Barco also mixes in a cutter, mostly against lefties, just to add another wrinkle and keep hitters off balance.

A New Wave of Pirates Pitching Talent

Barco’s promotion fits a pattern in Pittsburgh: they’re bringing up talented young arms fast. He joins a group of pitchers who’ve debuted this season, like:

• Bubba Chandler
• Braxton Ashcraft
• Mike Burrows
• Thomas Harrington

It’s a sign the Pirates want a young, powerful rotation that can actually compete for a while. They’re giving their best prospects real shots to prove themselves against MLB hitters, which is honestly refreshing to see.

What to Expect from Barco

Barco’s first games might feel like a rollercoaster. He’s a rookie, after all, and Major League hitters don’t exactly take it easy on new guys.

Still, his mix of velocity, pitch movement, and variety stands out. If he tightens up his command, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn into a steady rotation piece—or maybe even something more.

Pirates fans get another glimpse of the team’s rebuild with Hunter Barco’s debut. There’s a buzz around new faces this season, and Barco’s arrival brings a bit more hope and curiosity.

Maybe he’ll become a key anchor for the Pirates’ pitching staff down the line. Who knows? That’s part of what makes these debuts worth watching.

 
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