4-14-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Prayers from fans have gone unanswered as Pirates appear steadfast in maintaining the worst offense in MLB. With Paul Skenes on the mound, you feel like maybe there’s a chance, but you HAVE to score runs and that’s been the hang-up for this squad.
Today’s matchup welcomes the Washington Nationals to town with Brad Lord making his second MLB start and fifth appearance on the season.
Washington’s 22nd ranked prospect was solid in a difficult situation for his first abridged start, posting 3 shutout frames facing the dangerous Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, permitting just 2 hits and 2 walks with 4 Ks in that appearance.
It’s been an unconventional path to the majors for Lord, an 18th round pick in 2022 who spent this offseason working for Home Depot.
He was selected out of the University of South Florida with a $125K signing bonus after posting sub-par numbers in college, tossing 61.2 innings his final year with a 5.25 ERA.
His first full season of pro ball wasn’t exactly inspiring as he pitched 104.2 innings between low-A and high-A ball where he was older than much of his competition and combined for a 4.04 ERA across those levels.
He stepped things up in 2024, posting an organization-best 2.43 ERA with 135 strikeouts across 129.2 innings, ultimately finishing the year in AAA Rochester.
He earned an Opening Day roster spot and had pitched out the of bullpen before his starting debut last week, combing for a 1.80 ERA and matching 1.80 WHIP through his first 5 innings with Washington.
He has added velocity in the offseason as his fastball has jumped up from averaging 91-94 last year to around 95-96 this season as his main offerings are his 4-seam and sinker.
He’ll add in a mid-80s slider and changeup around 87-88 but has primarily worked with fastballs against opposing hitters so far.
It’s a small sample but Lord has not had the best control, trying to work the edges and falling out of the zone on many of his pitches, leading to an early 5 walks to 5 strikeouts mark.
He mostly works up and away against lefties and, if he’s not right on the money with those pitches or not getting calls on the borders, it’s going to force him more into the black of the zone.
Protect middle and take borderline pitches early. Make him get the established strike zone before trying to force something to happen.
This team DESPERATELY needs something to get the offense on track and, Lord willing, maybe that something comes tonight.
Steel City Pirates 