After a season that tested his toughness, Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker gaining confidence

BRADENTON, Fla. — JT Brubaker came out slinging his slider against the Baltimore Orioles, gaining such confidence in the pitch that Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Roberto Perez called it three times in a row.

Brubaker threw his slider on seven of his 25 pitches Tuesday, including a swinging strikeout by Jacob Nottingham, as he had three strikeouts and allowed one hit in two innings in his first appearance in spring training.

“Game-wise,” Brubaker said, “it was right where I want it.”

Pirates RHP JT Brubaker was pleased with how he threw his slider against the Baltimore Orioles in his first appearance of spring training. pic.twitter.com/dt3Fh1qsvx

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 22, 2022

The Pirates are hoping for the same from Brubaker after the right-hander endured a 12-game stretch without a win last season, which proved to be both a test of his toughness and a lesson on how to handle a slump.

After going 4-4 with a 3.74 ERA and .249 batting average against in his first 10 starts, Brubaker finished 5-13 with a 5.36 in 124 1/3 innings over 24 starts. Brubaker reminds himself that it was his first full season since 2018, after missing the 2019 season with a forearm strain and starting only nine games during the 60-game season in 2020.

His struggles last season provided Brubaker all the motivation he needed in the offseason, which is why he started his throwing program in mid-February and ramped up to being ready to pitch three innings.

“I think it’s good for just learning more about the game and how to go about it,” Brubaker said. “I’m trying to keep those bumps in the road to a minimum and just get out of the funks quicker. I went back to focusing on one pitch at a time, as simple as that seems.”

Brubaker admits he allowed himself to start thinking two or three pitches ahead in counts instead of staying in the moment, a mistake that proved costly. He led the Pirates in home runs allowed (28), with 18 of those coming in the 12-game span where he went without a win.

“I think it’s just maturation,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “With young pitchers, they make a good pitch and they’re worried two pitches down the line instead of worried of what the next pitch is and how they’re gonna execute. It’s one of the things we challenged him on. I think as we continue to see him grow, it’s something that we’re going to see him improve on.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton talks about JT Brubaker’s slider against the Baltimore Orioles. pic.twitter.com/UBfIKntEed

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 22, 2022

Against the Orioles, Brubaker threw 16 of his 25 pitches for strikes. He ended the third and fourth innings with called strikes, fanning Jahmai Jones and Anthony Santander on 95-mph sinkers. Brubaker wasn’t the only one who found that his slider proved to be his best pitch.

“He threw it to the zones when he wanted to,” Shelton said. “It’s being able to keep it off the middle of the plate and up. I think today was a really good first sign for JT. He moved down the mound well. The ball came out of his hand well. But the slider was good.”

Brubaker believes that working with Perez helped his conviction. He showed “full confidence” in trusting a two-time Gold Glove catcher to call the pitches, and Brubaker found that it took him out of his comfort zone and challenged him to become a better pitcher.

“It’s kind of a cool experience because it also helps me test what my full potential is,” Brubaker said. “He’s gonna call stuff that I might not normally throw, (that is) what I wouldn’t throw in certain situations. It tests my limits, helps him know me and it helps me get a better idea of how to pitch.”