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As the Pittsburgh Pirates consider their long-term plans, they should allow Khristian Curtis to remain a starting pitcher, even after looking comfortable during his major-league debut out of the bullpen.
The temptation to change course is understandable. Curtis entered during a bullpen game against the Cleveland Guardians and delivered five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four. He retired the final 11 batters he faced and produced the longest scoreless relief appearance by a pitcher making his Pirates debut since Steve Blass in 1964.
Pittsburgh optioned him back to Triple-A Indianapolis the following day, but the performance created an obvious question. With the Pirates searching for dependable relief innings during a postseason race, should Curtis stay in the bullpen when his next opportunity arrives? For now, the answer should be no.
Khristian Curtis Showed More Than Bullpen Value
Curtis did not simply survive his first major-league appearance. He controlled it. The 24-year-old attacked with a five-pitch mix, landed his cutter for strikes and used his slider to finish hitters. After allowing consecutive hits during his second inning of work, he escaped the threat and struck out the side in the next frame. His ability to adjust and continue working deep into the game looked more like a starter’s outing than a short-relief audition.
One successful appearance cannot settle a pitcher’s future, but it can reveal whether his arsenal works against major-league hitters. Curtis showed enough variety to turn a lineup over and enough composure to recover when traffic appeared.
MLB Pipeline grades Curtis’ fastball and slider as above-average offerings. His cutter and changeup also project as usable major-league pitches, while his curveball gives him a fifth option. The overall package provides more depth than the typical relief profile. Relievers can succeed with two strong offerings. Starters need more ways to create outs. Curtis already has that foundation.
Minor-League Results Need Context
The argument for moving Curtis to relief begins with his uneven minor-league numbers. Across 18 appearances this season, including 16 starts, he has produced a 4.96 ERA and 1.386 WHIP over 74 1/3 innings.
The strikeout total tells a more encouraging story. Curtis has recorded 97 strikeouts in those innings, showing that his stuff consistently misses bats. His development has centered on whether he can throw enough strikes to access that arsenal. MLB Pipeline gives his control a below-average grade, and walks have occasionally forced him into difficult counts. That is a developmental problem, not proof that he belongs in the bullpen.
Curtis entered 2026 as one of several Pirates prospects pushing for greater recognition because his pitch quality gives him a higher ceiling than his draft position suggests. Pittsburgh selected him in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, but his combination of size, velocity and secondary weapons has helped him move quickly through the system.
He also entered the year among Pittsburgh’s prospects facing Rule 5 protection decisions and later surfaced as a possible prospect with legitimate trade value. The Pirates settled the immediate roster question by selecting his contract for the Cleveland appearance. Now they should keep developing the role that gives him the most long-term value.
Pirates Cannot Let Bullpen Problems Dictate Development
Pittsburgh has spent much of the season trying to stabilize a relief corps whose struggles have made bullpen help a trade deadline priority. Curtis’ debut offered exactly what the group has lacked: strikes, length and calm execution. His five scoreless innings were followed by a late collapse, making his performance look even more valuable. That contrast should not push the organization into a permanent conversion.
A starting pitcher with Curtis’ arsenal carries more value than a multi-inning reliever. Pittsburgh can always move him to the bullpen later if command issues persist or the rotation becomes crowded. Rebuilding a starter’s workload after limiting him to short appearances would be more difficult.
Braxton Ashcraft initially helped the major league staff in a multi-inning role before establishing himself as a starter. Pittsburgh preserved his ability to cover innings instead of immediately reducing him to a one-inning specialist.
Curtis can still help the bullpen temporarily. A future call-up could place him in a bulk role behind an opener or allow him to cover several innings when a starter exits early. Those assignments would help the major league club without ending his development as a starter.
Pirates’ Rotation Depth Can Disappear Quickly
The Pirates appear to have enviable rotation depth. Paul Skenes leads the group, Jared Jones has returned to the rotation, Ashcraft has developed into an All-Star, and Mitch Keller remains under contract through 2028. That depth, however, is not permanent. Pitchers get injured. Workload concerns emerge. Performance changes. A team that believes it has too many starters can suddenly find itself searching for innings.
Curtis gives Pittsburgh another option with legitimate swing-and-miss ability. His ceiling may not match the organization’s most celebrated pitching prospects, but useful rotations are built with more than aces. Teams need starters who can take the ball every fifth day, cover five or six innings and keep games manageable.
The Pirates should use the remainder of 2026 to determine whether Curtis can become that pitcher. Indianapolis gives him the opportunity to work through command problems, maintain a starter’s routine and continue refining all five offerings. Every start provides more information than a series of scattered bullpen appearances.
Curtis Has Earned Patience, Not a New Position
Khristian Curtis gave the Pirates exactly what they needed in Cleveland. He filled innings, kept the game under control and showed that his stuff could work at the highest level. The performance should increase confidence in his future, not narrow it.
Pittsburgh may eventually decide that Curtis’ best major-league role is in relief. His fastball, cutter and slider could become more effective in shorter appearances, and his command might improve when he does not have to pace himself through a lineup multiple times. That decision does not need to be made after one game.
The Pirates should keep Curtis stretched out, continue testing his command and preserve the possibility that he can become a major-league starter. His debut proved he can help from the bullpen when necessary. The next step is finding out whether he can offer even more.
Main Photo Credit: © David Richard-Imagn Images
