The Pittsburgh Pirates heralded the arrival of their top prospect, Paul Skenes, debuting him in a game on Saturday afternoon. Before Skenes could take the mound, the Pirates’ management had to make room for the newcomer on both the 40-man roster and the active roster. In a decisive move, Pirates General Manager, Ben Cherington, designated 24-year-old right-hander Roansy Contreras for assignment, giving other major league teams a seven-day window to claim him off waivers or propose a trade.
Contreras, once a promising talent acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade with the New York Yankees in 2021, has seen a dramatic shift in his career trajectory since his impressive 2022 season. Ranked as the Pirates’ fifth-best prospect that year, he delivered a strong performance, recording a 5-5 win-loss record with a 3.79 ERA over 95 innings, during which he struck out 86 hitters. His 2022 season also featured a commendable WHIP of 1.27 and kept opposing batters to a .225 average.
However, the following seasons saw Contreras struggle to replicate his initial success. During the 2023 season, his performance significantly declined, leading to a disappointing 4-7 record and a bloated 6.17 ERA over 84.2 innings pitched, where he managed to strike out only 71 batters.
His WHIP worsened to 1.58, and opposing hitters raised their average to .287 against him. These struggles are largely attributed to his failure to limit on-base players, despite his velocity returning to its prior levels in 2024.
Contreras possesses a strong pitch arsenal and has the potential for a significant turnaround, but his lack of consistency and control has marred his production. The Pirates’ coaching staff, including pitching coach Oscar Marin, has yet to find the right adjustments to harness his abilities fully.
This latest move by Cherington underscores the pressing need to revitalize Contreras’s career, possibly through a trade that could benefit both the player and the organization. As the Pirates welcome a new talent in Skenes, they also face the challenge of deciding the future for what was once a promising young pitcher in Roansy Contreras.