Kevin Gausman made his spring debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, and he did not disappoint. The right-handed pitcher threw two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters in a narrow 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Gausman, who signed a five-year, $110 million contract with the Pirates in the offseason, showed why he was worth the investment. His fastball was hitting 97 mph on the radar gun, and his off-speed pitches were sharp and effective. He looked comfortable on the mound and in control of the game, despite it being his first outing of the spring.
The Pirates were impressed with Gausman’s performance, with manager Derek Shelton praising his command and poise on the mound. “Kevin looked really good out there today,” Shelton said. “He was hitting his spots and keeping hitters off balance. It’s a great sign for us moving forward.”
Gausman’s strong showing is a positive sign for the Pirates, who are hoping to improve on their last-place finish in the NL Central last season. With Gausman leading the rotation, along with other offseason acquisitions like outfielder Bryan Reynolds and infielder Yoshi Tsutsugo, the Pirates are looking to be more competitive in 2022.
Overall, Gausman’s impressive spring debut is a promising start for both him and the Pirates. If he can continue to pitch at this level throughout the season, he could be a key piece in helping the team turn things around and compete for a playoff spot. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Gausman performs in his next outing and beyond.
