Pirates A to Z: Lefty reliever Ryan Borucki went from expendable to dependable in short span

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster.

Player: Ryan Borucki

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Left

Age: 29

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 210 pounds

2023 MLB statistics: Was 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.74 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and four walks in 40 1/3 innings over 38 appearances, including a pair of starts.

Contract: Enters third year of arbitration eligibility.

Acquired: Signed to a minor league contract.

This past season: Borucki went from expendable to dependable in the span of a season.

During his six years with Toronto, which drafted him in the 15th round in 2012, Borucki moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen.

The Blue Jays traded him to Seattle in June 2022 and he signed with the Chicago Cubs for the following season. After starting the season at Triple-A Iowa, Borucki’s contract was selected on April 30 but he was designated for assignment without making an appearance only two days later.

The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis, where Borucki made eight appearances without allowing a run despite having more walks (six) than strikeouts (four).

With Jarlin Garcia already out with a nerve issue and Rob Zastryzny on the injured list with left forearm tightness, the Pirates were in dire need of a left-handed reliever when Jose Hernandez went on the IL with a right calf strain on June 18.

So they turned to Borucki, whose value was in his versatility.

“I’ve done everything,” Borucki said. “I’ve been a leverage reliever. I’ve been a lefty specialist, a swing man. I’ve kind of been deployed situationally. I’ve been with Toronto and Seattle and they were big on, if the situation is the best for me, I’ll pitch – fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth.

“The only inning I haven’t really pitched in a leverage spot is the ninth. But I’ve pitched everywhere else. Wherever (the Pirates) need to deploy me and wherever the best matchup is for me, I’ll do whatever.”

With a two-time All-Star in David Bednar, the Pirates didn’t need a closer. But Borucki was used in a variety of roles, including high-leverage setup and even made two starts as an opener.

The @Pirates wrap up their 3-game series with Twins this afternoon here on @ATTSportsNetPIT. The Bucs will to with an "opener' today as Ryan Borucki take the mound. Here's Robby and manager Derek Shelton with more on today's matchup. pic.twitter.com/6mFb7VIlCI

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) August 20, 2023

Borucki, who went 4-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 17 starts for the Blue Jays in 2018, made his first start since 2019 when he struck out three batters in 1 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings in a 3-0 win at the Los Angeles Angels. On Aug. 20, he did the same in two innings in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota.

“You have to attack like you would as a reliever, but you’re doing it in the first inning,” Borucki said. “A lot of guys, that first at-bat they’re trying to feel everything out. If you spin something in there for a strike, you can steal and get to 0-1. After that, once you get ahead, it’s just make pitches.”

Ryan Borucki striking out Kyle Schwarber with a WICKED sweeper

82 MPH, 2602 RPM, 38 inVB, 13 inHB pic.twitter.com/59oPQgUUs3

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) September 27, 2023

Borucki relied mostly on spin for the Pirates, as opponents hit .194 against his slider and .088 against his sweeper. That helped him miss bats, as his barrel percentage dropped from 10.4% in ’22 to 6.3%.

Where Borucki separated himself from other relievers was with a low walk rate, averaging only 0.9 walks per nine innings, which made him one of the most dependable relievers.

Ryan Borucki stays on brand for this season and has himself yet another fantastic outing, capping it off with this K

Tonight: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 15 pitches

Season: 2.45 ERA, 40.1 IP, 4 BB, 33 K

86.3 MPH slider, 2309 RPM, 33 inVB, 4 inHB pic.twitter.com/b0DJZUkRmj

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) September 30, 2023

The future: Borucki solidified a spot in the bullpen last season, becoming a trusted lefty for Pirates manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin.

The Pirates designated Zastryzny for assignment in September, lost Angel Perdomo to the Atlanta Braves on waivers and declined an option on Garcia, who didn’t pitch at all last season. That leaves Borucki, Hernandez and Bailey Falter as the only lefties on the pitching staff.

Borucki enters his third year of arbitration eligibility and is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $1.3 million next season after making $900,000 last year. Borucki is eligible for free agency in 2025.