Perrotto: Potential Terrible News for One Who Deserves Better (+)
JT Brubaker was never considered a hot commodity as he came up through the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system.
Few of the outlets and analysts who rank prospects ever put the right-hander in the Pirates’ top 10. Those who did think Brubaker could pitch in the major leagues envisioned him as a relief pitcher, a role where he could rely heavily on throwing his slider. The pundits didn’t think he had a deep enough arsenal of pitches to be a starter.
However, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington always sung Brubaker’s praises and believed he would outpitch his pedigree of being a sixth-round draft pick from the University of Akron in 2015.
“Jonathan Brubaker knows how to pitch,” Huntington often said.
Brubaker has a 9-28 lifetime record with a 4.99 ERA in three major-league seasons. That is certainly nothing to get excited about.
However, all signs pointed towards Brubaker having a breakout year in 2023 despite being the rather advanced age of 29.
His 3.92 FIP, which strips away balls in play, last season was three-quarters of a run better than his 4.77 ERA. Hitters had a .334 average on balls in play, well over type major-league average of .291, an indication that Brubaker had his share of bad luck.
Then there was Brubaker’s performance in spring training this year. He struck out 26 batters in 17.1 innings and walked just three during Grapefruit League play.
However, all the momentum Brubaker seemed to be building for a good 2023 season came to a screeching halt last week.
The Pirates placed him on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort just before opening day. Brubaker was then transferred to the 60-day IL on Sunday to clear space on the 40-man roster for righty Edwin Uceta, who was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.
Thus, Brubaker won’t be pitching for the Pirates until at least late May. However, there is a realistic chance Brubaker might not take the mound for the Pirates again until late next season or even 2025.
Doctors have not made a final determination on Brubaker’s injury. However, those with knowledge of Brubaker’s situation, are concerned that he will likely need Tommy John ligament reconstruction surgery on his elbow.
The recovery from Tommy John typically is a minimum of 16 months.
That would not necessarily be a crippling blow for the Pirates. Johan Oviedo is filling Brubaker’s rotation spot and the 25-year-old has considerable promise – if not the major-league results to match so far.
The Pirates also have many intriguing prospects at Triple-A Indianapolis in Luis Ortiz, Mike Burrows, Quinn Priester, Carmen Mlodzinski and Cody Bolton.
All that pitching depth could have also made Brubaker a trade chip at the deadline in July and made him yet another Pirates player who would move on to a contending team.
However, it would be a big blow for Brubaker’s career.
The sad part about the situation is that Brubaker has kept an unbelievably good attitude throughout the rough times he has had in the major leagues.
He has never complained about his teammates’ poor play behind him or gotten down on himself. He has never dodged the media after a rough outing or failed to hold himself accountable for a poor performance.
Now, just when things seem ready to turn for Brubaker, he is potentially facing major surgery.
It proves that the phrase “life is unfair” is not just a cliché. Sadly, it is often true.