Analysis: Seven things we learned during the Pirates’ trip out west

Analysis: Seven things we learned during the Pirates’ trip out west

When Jesus Rodriguez’s single touched the green grass and Heliot Ramos scored the final run in the 12th inning, it was difficult for the Pirates and their fans to see the forest for the trees. Or to take an objective snapshot of six games played in Arizona and California.

But there was still plenty we learned, much of it positive.

With a day off Monday before the Rockies arrive at PNC Park, let’s examine some of what we learned while the Pirates won a series against the Diamondbacks and dropped one to the Giants Sunday at Oracle Park.

Bullpen must be better

What was formerly a top-10 unit in Major League Baseball has suddenly dropped to 17th in ERA at 4.14. Furthermore, four of the Pirates’ top six options to start the season have experienced issues:

• Justin Lawrence took the loss on Sunday and has a 6.46 ERA. He also struggled during Friday’s loss, allowing three earned runs without recording an out.

• Isaac Mattson threw several two-strike fastballs over the heart of the plate Sunday and now has a 4.67 ERA, second-highest among Pirates regulars behind Lawrence.

• Dennis Santana (3.63 ERA) has been slightly better … but also not his dominant self of the past two seasons.

• Yohan Ramirez had a 1.83 ERA in March and April. However, due to control issues, that number sits at 14.54 three May outings. He's walked four and hit four in 4 1/3 innings.

Gregory Soto has been outstanding (1.33 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, .091 batting average against), and Mason Montgomery has rebounded nicely from a tough opening series. But the group as a whole needs to be better.

That now seems to include not only the early innings and long relief but also some back-end setup stuff, as well.

If the Pirates don’t have the arms internally, it could be time for general manager Ben Cherington to commence some early-season shopping for reinforcements.

Braxton Ashcraft has arrived

On the flip side, Ashcraft and Mitch Keller have been elite, teaming with Paul Skenes to form a deadly top three atop the starting rotation.

Imagine facing those three in a potential playoff series.

All three have an ERA under 3. Skenes and Keller are All-Stars. But the bigger storyline has been Ashcraft, who’s allowed just one earned run over his past two starts (14 2/3 innings), including a another gem Saturday against the Giants.

Ashcraft isn’t afraid to pound the zone. He doesn’t like walking guys but has elite stuff that tends to net strikeouts. It’s only a matter of time before more people start noticing.

Konnor Griffin has found it

Was the secret that bounce house? Was Griffin gifted comfortability for his 20th birthday?

Whatever the reason, how quickly he has settled in — shocking! — has been hard to ignore, the latest being his 413-foot blast of a home run Sunday.

Over his past 16 games (since April 24), Griffin is hitting .339 with seven extra-base hits (including three home runs), 11 RBIs, seven walks, eight runs scored and five strikeouts.

Along with his work at the plate, which is certainly impressive, Griffin has flashed his speed on the bases and played really strong, athletic defense at shortstop.

Marcell Ozuna isn’t going anywhere

Externally, there have certainly been calls to designate Marcell Ozuna for assignment given his .194 average, .601 OPS and $12 million contract ($10.5 million plus a 2027 buyout). But on the inside, that’s not how his situation is viewed.

The Pirates want more offense. Ozuna knows he’s capable of hitting more. But the way he’s handled his struggles and continued to pour into teammates, he has absolutely made a positive impression on the team while adding value in other areas.

“He’s like having another coach in the cage, specifically as it relates to approach,” general manager Ben Cherington said on Sunday’s Pirates Insider Show. “I’m talking about, ‘How am I beating this pitcher tonight?’ He’s done that so much. He’s really smart. He reminds me a little bit of David Ortiz in that way — how he thinks about an at-bat, his ability to articulate his thoughts and helping guys think, ‘This is what this pitcher is doing to you. Here’s how you counteract that.’

“We heard that. That showed up. We also heard that he’s gonna make it about the team first. That’s really showed up, too.

“The offense is trending [up]. Over the course of the season, really believe this is a guy who’s gonna help our lineup, as well as the stuff he does off the field.”

It was telling to see the entire team gathered around to watch Ozuna’s 300 home runs on loop Saturday at Oracle Park. Ask anyone around the club about Ozuna, and you’re likely to get an answer similar to what Cherington said. They’re riding this one out.

Who’s the starting catcher?

If you can answer this, congratulations. But Joey Bart started five of six prior to Sunday while hitting .450 over his previous seven games. The Pirates are paying Bart more than you would a normal backup catcher, and it makes sense they’d want to get some return on investment.

At the same time, Davis should probably catch Bubba Chandler, and he already catches Paul Skenes. It’s good in the sense that Pirates catchers recently have provided more offense, but it’s also been tough for either to find a rhythm with the current arrangement.

A big decision looms

Jared Jones will start on Tuesday for Double-A Altoona. He has a few more rehab starts to go, but Cherington said Sunday it’s possible Jones could return in May.

What happens when he does?

Cherington has said previously they view Jones as a starter long-term, so one would think he moves into the rotation. That would seemingly displace either Chandler or Carmen Mlodzinski, who was actually really good in the first game against the Giants (six innings, two earned runs).

If Mlodzinski continues to pitch this way deeper into May, it may be tough to move him to the bullpen. At the same time, it would absolutely help the team given the weaknesses in long relief and even later innings.

Chandler, who was around the plate a bunch more Sunday, makes much more sense as a starter given some of his control issues compared with Mlodzinski’s relief experience and his dominance facing hitters the first time.

There doesn’t need to be an answer now. But you can see the question coming.

Other additions are shining

Brandon Lowe, who homered twice in Arizona, continues to be a voice of reason when things go south, as well as a productive player whenever the Pirates work to get things going back in a positive direction.

It’s still crazy to think Cherington got Lowe, Jake Mangum and Montgomery for Mike Burrows. Lowe has brought power, consistency, professionalism and darn near anything you could ever want from an outside addition.

The same for Ryan O’Hearn and Gregory Soto.

Imagine where the Pirates bullpen would be if Soto wasn’t pitching at an All-Star level. It’s hard to understand how he had a 4.18 ERA and a negative bWAR with the Orioles and Mets last season.

O’Hearn, meanwhile, has been a productive player (.802 OPS) and the type of veteran presence the Pirates have lacked. When he failed to make a key catch Sunday, O’Hearn didn’t hide or pout. He was immediately available, answered every question and was ticked that he didn’t make the play.

After all the work he’s put in, he expected more out of himself.

Things happen. He’s a converted right fielder who actually has been pretty good out there. The Pirates had many more mistakes that were bigger than that one Sunday. But it’s hard to not respect how O’Hearn carries himself in good and bad situations.

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.