Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon has been hindered by injuries the past two seasons setting his major league debut back two years. However, he is here now and showing just the spark he can add to the Pirates starting rotation this season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates got both good news and bad news prior to yesterday's game against the Mets. Of course, we will start with the bad news as the Pirates announced prior to the game yesterday that they had to place starting pitcher Gerrit Cole on the 15-day disabled list with a right tricep muscle strain.
Cole had been the ace of a struggling Pittsburgh Pirates starting staff with a record of 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA striking out 100 and walking 28 in just over 117 innings pitched. Cole left the Pirates 9-3 loss to the Cardinals on Friday night. While Cole is not off to the hot start he had a year ago, he has still been a vital part to the Pirates success this season and in the past.
However, with the loss of Cole, a new era begins as the entrance of Jameson Taillon into the Pirates rotation begins. Taillon made his major league debut last week against the New York Mets as he went 6.0 innings allowing just three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two. Taillon would get a no decision in that contest as the Pirates would fall to the Mets by the score of 6-5 with Cory Leubke picking up the loss.
In his major league debut, Pirates fans thought they saw just what the future held for their rotation as it contained both Taillon and Cole in what could be a great 1-2 punch for years to come. However, surprisingly Taillon was sent down to the minors after his first start and it lead fans to believe that they would not see Taillon again until the middle of the season.
Fate would end up working in the 24-year olds favor though as Cole goes to the disabled list and Taillon gets the call to face the Mets last night, a team he made his MLB debut against last week. Taillon took advantage of this new found opportunity and pitched the game of his life picking up his first major league victory and shutting out the Mets over eight strong innings of work.
He would have a no-hitter through six innings of work and only had allowed two base runners on a walk and a hit by pitch. Then, in the top of inning number seven, Curtis Granderson lead things off with a single. Both Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison made a diving attempt for the ball, but neither could corral the slow roller as it rolled into right field. Taillon would not have to worry about the base runner for long, however, as he got Yoenis Cespedes to ground into a double play and Kelly Johnson to ground out to end the inning.
In total, Taillon would go 8.0 innings giving up no runs on two hits while striking out five and walking one on his way to picking up his first major league victory to move to 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two major league starts. Taillon came close to a no-hitter one other time this year in triple A as he took one into the sixth inning before it was broken up by the opposing pitcher, but to do it at the major league level is another thing.
If you looked back two years ago none of this looked to be possible as Taillon had to have season ending Tommy John surgery, setting his development back. Taillon was pitching for double A Altoona and had just gotten a promotion to Triple A Indianapolis, but started losing hope. It would be a long hard off-season of rehab and trying to get back to playing level so he could advance in the Pirates minor league system.
Taillon would come back for spring training 2015 ready to go and show what he could do. He ended up missing the entire 2014 season with Tommy John surgery and was ready to come back and prove he was ready to make the transition to the major leagues. However, he hit another speed bump as this time he was dealing with an inguinal hernia that would have him miss the entire 2015 season as well.
Taillon didnt give up and came into spring training this year healthier than ever and ready to perform. He started the season in Triple A Indianapolis and made the most of the missed time compiling a record of 4-2 with a 2.04. Those stats were enough to get him the call to the big leagues to start his major league career.
Now that he has made it to the show and has performed well, Pirates fans can start getting excited about the future of this Pirates team. And, there is more excitement to come as top prospect Tyler Glasnow still waits in the Pirates wings waiting to make his debut. If all three of these pitchers work out, the Pirates could have a rotation for the ages with Cole, Taillon, and Glasnow at the lead.
The Pirates have not yet announced Taillon's next start, but if the calendar is right Taillon would next take the mound against the Chicago Cubs on June 19th. It will be a big test for Taillon to see if he can compete with the best team in major league baseball. For now, Taillon can enjoy his early success and be excited for what the future holds for both him and the rest of the Pittsburgh Pirates team.
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