Brandan Bidois hoped his incredible 2025 season put him on the Pirates’ proverbial map, something that officially occurred when they added him to the 40-man roster this winter.
With an ongoing relief need, it ventured to the far corner of that map, recalled Bidois and optioning Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis, part of a pregame roster shakeup that sent Joey Bart to the 10-day injured list with a left foot infection.
For additional catching depth, the Pirates recalled Endy Rodriguez, as well.
We'll get to the catching side. But as far as Bidois, when he pitches, he'll be the first Australian-born player to appear in an MLB game for the Pirates.
"An exciting moment, not just for me, but for the family, coaches back home and friends," Bidois said. "Just getting to tell everybody, it’s super exciting. Super grateful and honored.”
Bidois, 24, is from Brisbane, Queensland, located in northeast Australia. When he debuts, Bidois will become the 37th Australian-born MLB player, the 25th pitcher.
It’s an incredible story, too.
The Pirates signed Bidois as an undrafted free agent on Sept. 21, 2019. Back then, he was a position player. But after coming to the United States and playing in the Florida Complex League in 2021, Bidois had Tommy John surgery, shelving him until late 2023.
His 2024 season was fine, a 4.25 ERA in mostly High-A. But the following year, Bidois became downright elite, earning the Pirates’ Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year Award in the Minor Leagues.
While making stops at all four affiliates, Bidois went 8-0 with a 0.74 ERA, seven saves, 69 strikeouts, a .110 batting average against and 0.80 WHIP in 61 innings spread across 40 games.
At one point, Bidois faced 64 consecutive batters without allowing a hit (from July 29-Sept. 9).
That translated into 11 appearances and 18 innings without someone getting a hit, the longest such streak in the modern era (Majors or Minors) since Dennis Eckersley’s 21 in 1977.
“He punched out a lot of guys,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Fastball is electric. Offspeed is really good. When he’s in the zone, he’s tough to hit.”
One of the things he picked up along the way in 2025 was a kick-change, a third offering he was able to command that complemented his fastball and slider.
On the flip side, the start to the 2026 was a challenge Bidois had to overcome. He described it as a mental problem, nothing physical or related to his mechanics. At one point Bidois explained his issues as “my head wasn’t really where my feet were.”
Bidois credited the coaching staff in Indianapolis, as well as the Pirates performance team and even veterans like Chris Devenski for helping him improve and produce better results of late. Overall, Bidois is 3-2 with a 7.20 ERA in 15 innings, walking nine and striking out 23.
“Obviously it hasn’t gone the greatest if you go by the numbers," Bidois said. "But I look at it as adversity, and adversity is a privilege.
"I’ve gone through some trials and tribulations this year, kind of finding myself and knowing how to pick myself back up in those moments. There’s no place better to do it than down there.
"So, when you get up here, you know what you gotta do, and I’m just going to bring that winning attitude to the team. We’ll see what I can do.”
Making your MLB debut is always special. But Bidois, much like 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana — from Sydney, New South Wales — takes an enormous amount of pride in representing his home country, where baseball’s popularity is indeed growing.
When he does toe an MLB rubber for the first time, Bidois knows he’ll be representing much more than himself.
“I’m also representing my people, my coaches, my family and everyone that has come before me and will come after me,” Bidois said. “We have a small group that plays baseball. I know it’s growing exponentially every single year, and I just want to continue to help provide a pathway and ways to grow the game over there.”
Catching up
The Bart foot issue comes at an unfortunate time for the Pirates, as he seemed to be pushing for more time behind the plate.
Over the past 13 games, Bart hit .333 and had an .863 OPS. That included a four-hit night Saturday in San Francisco.
In 34 Minor League games this season, Rodriguez was hitting .221 with a .627 OPS that included six doubles and one home run. Rodriguez, a switch hitter, also had 16 RBIs and 11 runs scored.
Rodriguez made his MLB debut in 2023 and has hit .210 with a .587 OPS in 75 games at this level.
He has experienced multiple elbow issues but has been completely healthy dating back to Spring Training, when he hit .308 with a .977 OPS and made a strong impression on Pirates brass.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.