A Rocky Season on the Field
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar experienced one of the toughest campaigns of his career. He ended the season with a 3-8 record, a 5.77 ERA in 57.2 innings across 62 games, and a mix of 23 saves alongside seven blown opportunities in 30 chances. The season began with difficulties, as he lost three chances to preserve leads in his first four opportunities. Although he found a period of stability from mid-April to early August, his performance faltered once again in August, a month in which the team endured an 8-19 record. Critical blown saves occurred in consecutive contests, prompting the manager to shift to a committee approach for the closing role later in the season.
Resilience in Spring Training
Bednar’s spring training efforts have sparked optimism. In a recent outing against a strong opponent, he pitched a scoreless fifth inning, striking out two batters while keeping his opponent off the bases. His performance underscored a renewed physical readiness and mental focus that he believes will serve him well in the upcoming season. “Yes, absolutely. You want to be good at the right time and get everything together as the season goes,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of building momentum and attacking hitters with consistency.
Reclaiming Former Glory
Despite the struggles encountered this past season, Bednar has a track record of stellar performance. He earned consecutive All-Star selections and posted impressive statistics in previous years, including leading the league with 39 saves in 2023 and recording 19 saves in 2022—all with exceptionally low ERAs. These accomplishments serve as a benchmark for his aspirations, and he is determined to rediscover the level of confidence and execution that characterized those successful seasons. “I just have to remind myself that I am good and it’s the confidence that whenever I used to attack hitters in the zone,” he explained, stressing the value of maintaining focus and self-belief.
A Cohesive Bullpen Effort
Bednar is equally optimistic about the collective strength of Pittsburgh’s bullpen. He will join a group of talented pitchers, including several promising arms and a notable free-agent signing. This ensemble is closely intertwined with a formidable starting rotation, and the competitive spirit within the group is expected to drive improvements for every team member. “We got a lot of guys with a lot of really great stuff. It’s really impressive and it’s going to take everybody,” Bednar remarked. The emphasis is on a team-first approach—a mentality where every pitcher pushes the next to perform at their best.
Looking Ahead to a New Chapter
As the regular season approaches, Bednar is focused on consolidating his progress, making necessary adjustments, and entering the field with renewed determination. His recent outings during spring training have laid a foundation for what he believes will be a transformative season. With the lessons learned from previous challenges and a supportive, competitive bullpen environment, he is ready to build on his past successes and aim to regain the closer role he holds in high regard.
