Perrotto: Caleb Ferguson Hopes PNC Park Becomes Happier Place

Caleb Ferguson will call PNC Park home this season.

The left-hander signed a one-year, $3-million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in the offseason. He is under consideration for a potential spot in the rotation but seems likely to begin the season in the bullpen.

Regardless of role, Ferguson hopes to make some better memories along the shores of the Allegheny River in 2025.

Ferguson grew up in West Jefferson, Ohio, just west of Columbus, and was a Cincinnati Reds fan. He vividly remembers being a 17-year-old senior in high school watching on television as the Reds played the Pirates in the 2013 National League Wild Card game at PNC Park.

“The Cueto Game,” Ferguson said, shaking his head, during a recent interview at the Pirates’ spring training camp in Bradenton, Fla.

Yes, The Cueto Game.

Johnny Cueto, the Reds’ ace pitcher, dropped the ball as he got set to throw a pitch to Pirates catcher Russell Martin. After Cueto retrieved the ball and returned to the mound, he gave up a two-run home run.

The crowd was whipped into a frenzy as the Pirates took a 2-1 lead and went on it first postseason victory since 1992. That remains easily the best moment in PNC Park’s 24-year history.

Fast forward to June 6, 2018, and Ferguson was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers when he made his major-league debut by starting against the Pirates at PNC Park.

Things did not go well. Ferguson gave up four runs in 1.2 innings, though he did not get a decision in a game the Pirates won 11-9.

“I knew it could only get better from there,” Ferguson said.

They have.

Ferguson has had a fine career with a 19-13 record and 3.68 ERA in 263 games (14 starts) in six seasons with the Dodgers (2018-20, 2022-23), New York Yankees (2024) and Houston Astros (2024). Last season, Ferguson was 1-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 62 games.

The Pirates believe the 28-year-old Ferguson is primed for a bounce-back season.

“He has the ability to pitch in multiple roles,” manager Derek Shelton said. “He’s pitched on good teams. The fact that he could possibly start, he could pitch as a hybrid guy, he could pitch in the middle, he could pitch in leverage. It gives us all those different, unique abilities and that’s really important.”

Ferguson and Carmen Mlodzinski, another projected reliever, will pitch at least three innings in a game during Grapefruit League play this spring so they can be stretched out as potential starters. While getting a chance to be in the rotation made the Pirates an attractive option in free agency, it was not the deciding factor for Ferguson.

“It’s always something I wanted to do is be a starter,” Ferguson said. “At the same time, I just want to be in the big leagues. I just want the ability to go out and show what I can do. And it I thought it would be nice to get back East and be closer to home.”

Ferguson has another tie to the Pittsburgh region. He accepted a scholarship to West Virginia before deciding to turn pro when the Dodgers drafted him in the 38th round after his senior year of high school in 2014 and gave him a $100,000 bonus.

“School is always going to be there,” Ferguson said of his decision. “Professional baseball is a very small window of your life, so I think when you get the opportunity you better jump at it.”

Ferguson made the right choice and now he is in Pittsburgh. He is certainly due to have better luck in the Steel City.