4-16-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
As the offense slumped once again last night, the team will look to turn the page as they face Nationals lefty Mitchell Parker, who has had a strong start to his 2025 campaign.
Parker had an inconsistent rookie season last year with a 4.29 ERA over 151 innings pitched. He started a game against the Pirates last year on September 7, struggling considerably as he lasted just 3.1 innings with 4 runs allowed off 6 hits, 4 walks and 5 strikeouts but has been looking much more refined out of the gate in 2025.
The sophomore southpaw has started 3 games for the Nationals this season with a 2-0 record and 1.96 ERA through his first 18.1 innings as he’s gone 6+ in each outing to date with Washington winning each of those games.
His numbers have some deflation due to his poor K/BB rates – which are among the worst in MLB – and indicate a likely regression ahead for Parker.
Parker’s ERA-FIP (-1.44) is the 9th worst differential in MLB and his xFIP of 4.89 is the 8th highest among qualified starters – far and away higher than his base ERA would dictate.
Looking at his pitch mix, Parker primarily features a low-90s fastball up in the zone which he offers just over 50% of the time. He adds in a mid-80s splitter and low-80s slider against righties with a mid-80s slider as his secondary selection versus lefties.
He has a high angle motion with his delivery, driving the ball down at an above average rate and resulting in a high ground-ball rate (51.7%).
His reliance on pitching-to-contact can work at times but eventually, the pendulum swings the other way. His BABIP (.241) is 28th lowest among qualified starters but no one ahead of him has a lower WHIP (1.20), giving ample opportunity for more hits to find grass during games.
Parker’s level of success thus far this season appears unsustainable but can the Pirates be the ones to break through? We’ll find out tonight.
Steel City Pirates 