RADIO
Chris Archer 2019 Outlook: He Will Prove The Pirates Investment As Worthy
6 years agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer is on track to return from offseason Hernia surgery with hopes of being the ace that demanded two top prospects in a trade at last year's non-waiver deadline. The now 30-year-old's arrival in Pittsburgh gave a breath of fresh air into the franchise, but his performance down the stretch left a lot to be desired. He finished 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA and a 3:1 K/BB ratio in just 10 starts. Archer’s strikeout percentage (26.7) was higher than his career numbers to that point (25.9) but his home run percentage was a whole point higher from his career total of 2.6. It’s understandable that getting used to a new team, development program, and city isn’t easy, but then his surgery hints that something else was at play. However, he should be 100 percent for the 2019 season and will slot in as the Pirates’ number one or two starter, while also getting to pitch a full season in pitcher-friendly PNC Park. He will be a great source for strikeouts, so if he can limit home runs he should provide great value due to others overlooking him off of last season's finish.
