These are the Pirates' biggest takeaways at halfway point

PITTSBURGH -- The halfway mark is officially here.

With a 16-0 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday at PNC Park, their third-largest margin of defeat this season, the Pirates have completed their 81st game of 2022.

Pittsburgh, which is 33-48, has taken a small step forward compared to last season and, in all likelihood, won’t end up in the bottom five of MLB like the last two seasons. But as evidenced by a sub-.500 record, as well as two blowout losses in the last week, there’s still room for growth for the Pirates.

Here are three of the biggest takeaways at the halfway point:

The emergence of Jack Suwinski
At season’s beginning, the Pirates had a clear-cut candidate who could make a run at National League Rookie of the Year: Oneil Cruz. But with the All-Star break approaching, Suwinski hasn’t just been Pittsburgh’s best rookie, he’s been one of the best in the Senior Circuit.

Among NL rookies, Suwinski has the most home runs (14) and entered Thursday with the third-best fWAR (1.2), trailing Spencer Strider (1.9) and Michael Harris II (1.6). Suwinski has also produced two of the Pirates’ most memorable moments this season with a pair of walk-off home runs, one of which capped off a three-homer game on Father’s Day.

What makes the ascension of Suwinski all the more remarkable is the improbability of it all.

Suwinski wasn’t a highly regarded prospect in Pittsburgh’s system. He began the season with Double-A Altoona. He made his debut when Bryan Reynolds and Cole Tucker were placed on the COVID-19 IL, driving from Akron, Ohio, to Pittsburgh with Tucupita Marcano to arrive at PNC Park right before game time on April 26.

Suwinski had the feel of a temporary fill-in, especially after he went through some early struggles, but the more he has played, the more he’s grown comfortable. At the minimum, Suwinski will garner a fair share of ROY votes by season’s end, if not finish in the top three.

The evolution of David Bednar
When the 92nd annual All-Star Game takes place in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, Bednar will likely be standing in uniform alongside the NL’s best.

Even with a pair of recent appearances that have ballooned his ERA, Bednar is still firmly among the league’s best relievers. In 31 appearances, Bednar has posted a 2.37 ERA and a 2.48 FIP. He has 13 saves in 16 opportunities. Like Suwinski, Bednar has had his share of signature moments, the most notable being his eight-out save in St. Louis to snap a nine-game losing streak.

WAR isn’t the end all, be all, but the contrast of Bednar’s fWAR between last season and this season tells a story of his dominance. In 60 2/3 innings last season, Bednar posted a 1.2 fWAR. In 38 innings this season, he has already posted a 1.0 fWAR.

“I would be hard-pressed for anyone to tell me why he’s not an All-Star with as well as he’s pitched,” said manager Derek Shelton on Tuesday. “He was the Reliever of the Month in May. He continues to execute pitches and do a good job. It would be more of a case of you would have to prove to me why he should not be on the team.”

The resurgence of José Quintana
Quintana described last season as the worst of his career, and rightfully so. He pitched the fewest innings of his career. He oscillated between starting and relieving. He was effectively let go by two different teams. This was the backdrop of his career as he signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates have provided Quintana with an opportunity to start, and Quintana has, in turn, turned in a vintage season.

So far, Quintana’s season looks ripped straight out of the mid-2010s. Through 16 starts, Quintana has a 3.33 ERA and a 3.37 FIP, both of which would be the best marks he’s posted since 2016. The veteran southpaw has evolved his repertoire, throwing his changeup more than ever before, and he’s generating, by far, the softest average exit velocity of his career (86.7 mph).

With the Trade Deadline approaching, Quintana will likely be a target for teams that are aiming to bolster their starting rotation. His value continues to rise with every quality outing, the latest being his five innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts against the Yankees on Tuesday. Even if the lefty likely only has a couple of starts left with the black and gold, his mentorship will have been invaluable for this young, growing team.