Pirates A to Z: After showing 'electric' stuff, Roansy Contreras hopes to crack rotation

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Roansy Contreras

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Bats: Right

Age: 21

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 175 pounds

2021 MLB statistics: Contreras was 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA in one start.

Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration.

Acquired: From the New York Yankees, along with Miguel Yajure, Canaan Njigba-Smith and Maikol Escotto, in a trade for Jameson Taillon in January 2021.

This past season: Contreras impressed the Pirates from the start, shining by striking out five while tossing a pair of scoreless innings in two relief appearances in spring training.

What caught Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s attention was how Contreras relied not on his 97-mph fastball but rather his breaking pitches against major-league hitters.

“For a kid that pitched in ‘A’ ball last year, that was kind of cool to see,” Shelton said. “Went back to the breaking ball, was able to execute the fastball down and away. That’s exciting. For Pirates fans to see a kid like this come in, a kid we acquired, it was cool.”

Contreras continued to dominate at Double-A Altoona, rising to the Pirates’ No. 6 prospect after going 3-2 with a 2.65 ERA in 12 starts, striking out 76 in 54 1/3 innings.

Contreras ranked second in the Northeast League in ERA (2.00), strikeouts (64), batting average against (.175) and walks-to-hits per innings pitched (0.84) when he was selected to the MLB All-Star Futures Game.

A right forearm strain sidelined Contreras for two months, slowing his progress. He returned and was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis for one start, where he allowed one run on four hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Roansy Contreras gets Ian Happ swinging for his first MLB strikeout. pic.twitter.com/w5c5SMUETQ

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 29, 2021

With the Pirates desperate for starting pitching, Contreras made his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 29 and tossed three scoreless innings. He threw strikes on 29 of his 46 pitches, relying primarily on a fastball that averaged 96.3 mph and touched 97.8 for five called strikes and three whiffs in striking out four while allowing three hits and one walk.

“My initial impression was: Wow, mature kid,” Shelton said. “Major league debut, end of the season, didn’t come out and overthrow or try to do too much. I don’t think he overthrew one pitch. He got through the first inning, and then after that really executed his pitches. Very impressive. A lot of positive things out of Ro. Really good first impression at the major league level.”

Pirates farm director John Baker said Contreras looked and acted like he belonged, exhibiting no nerves and never panicking. Afterward, Contreras said he was more excited than nervous, crediting his hard work and preparation for the moment. He also exuded confidence that he could have continued.

“I feel like it was a great start,” Contreras said. “It was a great beginning to this experience. I most definitely believe I could have given more, but I’m very grateful for God providing me the opportunity, and looking forward to many more.”

The future: Despite a season where he skyrocketed through the club’s prospect rankings, rising from No. 20 to No. 6, Contreras still has some work to do.

But the Pirates loved what they saw, not only from his four-seamer but also in throwing the curveball and slider with confidence.

“For that short look that we had with Contreras, that was electric stuff with, for me, above average command for someone his age,” Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin said. “Loved his breaking balls. Loved the way he used them. Changeup development’s something that’s gonna have to get better. It’s very encouraging to see someone that young do what he did and act as composed as he was the first time out.”

The Pirates sent Contreras to the Arizona Fall League to work on his changeup, and he threw 25 of his 37 pitches for strikes in retiring all nine batters he faced in three scoreless innings Tuesday.

Roansy Contreras is one reason the @Pirates are optimistic about their rebuilding process, and he showed why in the Arizona Fall League yesterday: https://t.co/k4qiISA3P7 pic.twitter.com/yIcrW008pu

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 3, 2021

Contreras only pitched 61 innings this past season, so the Pirates could opt to start him in Triple-A. But he also has a chance to crack a rotation, given his electric stuff and his maturity beyond his years. He turns 22 on Nov. 7 but already has proven he can attack big-league hitters.

“Those decisions are out of my control,” Contreras said. “What I can control is I’m ready and in shape to come back and dominate. A lot of those decisions are from up top and they’re outside of my control, but what I can control will be controlled.”