PT TOMORROW: NL Central - Post-hype prospects in PIT

Pittsburgh Pirates

Entering the 2022 season, the names of Mitch Keller (RHP, PIT) and Cole Tucker (SS/OF, PIT) embody the toiling state of the Pirates across the last several seasons. However, each has gained some hype this offseason due to work that they did during the lockout. For Tucker, that was highlighted by working with former player and hitting coach, Chili Davis. Meanwhile, Keller lit up social media and radar guns while working out at Tread Athletic and posting videos of him consistently hitting the high-90s with his fastball.

At least some of those gains appear to be legitimate. In 2021, Keller averaged 93.9 mph with his fastball, yet in his first spring training outing he regularly sat in the 96 mph range and popped 97 and...

Almost!

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