Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar has re-established himself as a cornerstone of the team’s bullpen, utilizing a refined mix of pitches that has neutralized opposing hitters throughout the 2024 season. After navigating early-season challenges with his command, Bednar’s ability to effectively integrate his four-seam fastball with his secondary offerings—specifically his curveball and splitter—has returned him to the elite tier of National League relief pitchers.
The Evolution of Bednar’s Pitch Arsenal
According to MLB Statcast data, Bednar’s success is predicated on the high-velocity, high-spin profile of his four-seamer, which he pairs with a vertical-breaking curveball that forces hitters to adjust their eye level. Throughout the current campaign, pitching analysts have noted that when Bednar maintains his release point consistency, his splitter becomes a difficult pitch to track, providing the necessary horizontal movement to induce ground balls and swings-and-misses.
The Pittsburgh native, who joined the Pirates via trade in 2021, has relied on this balanced approach to maintain leverage in high-pressure situations. By diversifying his pitch selection, he has reduced his reliance on the fastball alone, preventing hitters from sitting on a predictable velocity. This strategic shift has been central to his statistical recovery following a turbulent start to the year, where opponents initially capitalized on location errors.
Impact on the Pirates’ Bullpen Strategy
The return to form for Bednar provides significant stability for Pirates manager Derek Shelton. In the structure of a modern MLB bullpen, the ability to rely on a primary closer for clean, high-leverage innings allows the coaching staff to manage the workloads of middle-relief arms more effectively. Records from the Pirates’ official team site indicate that Bednar’s reliability has been a primary factor in the team’s ability to remain competitive in close-score games during the mid-to-late summer stretch.
His performance is particularly critical given the parity within the National League Central standings. With the Pirates looking to maximize their winning percentage in one-run games, Bednar’s role as the “lock-down” option in the ninth inning serves as the foundation for the team’s defensive late-game strategy.
Statistical Trends and Performance Metrics
While early-season box scores showed a spike in earned runs allowed, Bednar’s underlying metrics—such as his strikeout-to-walk ratio and opponent batting average—have trended toward his career norms since the mid-season point. Independent tracking data shows that his velocity remains consistent with his career average, hovering in the mid-90s, but his improved command of the strike zone’s edges has been the primary differentiator.
Comparing his current season to his 2023 campaign, where he recorded 39 saves and earned an All-Star selection, Bednar has demonstrated a similar capacity for resilience. He has shown a consistent ability to work out of “jam” situations—defined as innings where runners reach base with fewer than two outs—by inducing weak contact or elevated strikeout rates. This ability to mitigate damage is a hallmark of his career and remains his most valuable trait for the Pirates’ roster.
Looking Ahead: Closing the Season
As the Pirates progress through their final series of the season, Bednar’s health and effectiveness remain the key variables for the team’s bullpen depth. With no reported injuries affecting his mechanics, the expectation is that he will continue to handle the primary closing duties as the team evaluates its roster for the upcoming offseason.
The Pirates are scheduled to continue their current series, with daily updates on pitching availability provided through the team’s official media relations channels. Fans and analysts can track his progress through the league’s official transaction wires and updated player performance logs on MLB.com.
Worth a look
