WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2012
A-:  1-0-0, 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 31.0 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 5.2 K/9

Breedlove pitched well out of the State College bullpen, with good numbers other than a low K rate.

2013
A-:  1-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.0 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 15.4 K/9
A:  3-2-0, 5.97 ERA, 1.62 WHIP. 34.2 IP, 2.6 BB/9, 9.3 K/9

Breedlove opened 2013 in extended spring training.  The Pirates assigned him to West Virginia in early April, but reassigned him to extended spring training after he struggled in some of his outings.  He made several appearances for Jamestown in June, then moved back up to West Virginia, where he pitched out of the bullpen the rest of the year.  He had a lot more success after returning.  In seven April outings he had an 11.88 ERA and .476 opponents’ average.  In 19 appearances later in the year, he had a .245 opponents’ average, and 31/7 K/BB in 26.1 IP, numbers that were better than his ERA of 4.10.  Breedlove had a mild platoon split, but it’s hard to say how much of that resulted from his early-season struggles.  His K rate for the season was nearly double what it was the previous year.

Breedlove was successful enough after his return, especially the improved K rate, that the Pirates could move him up to Bradenton.