Lefthander Zach Duke assumes the top position for Pirates after a breakthrough season!
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Duke topped the minor leagues in ERA by going a combined 15-6, 1.46 with 142 strikeouts in 148 innings.
Not to shabby for the son of an Armadillo farmer!
The Pirates were so taken by Duke's showing that they are planning to give him a long look in spring training to become part of their starting rotation immediately, even though he is only 21 and has not pitched above Class AA.
A more realistic scenario -- and the one management has outlined to Duke -- is that he might reach Pittsburgh by year's end.
"I don't know where I'll start out, but I know that the level where I start probably will be a pretty good indication of where I end up," Duke said. "That's the approach I'm taking, but I'm not going to put any emphasis on it either way. I'm just going to go out there and do my job."
Duke started last season with Lynchburg in high Class A and went 10-5 with a 1.39 ERA. In mid-July, he was promoted to Class AA Altoona but did not stumble in the slightest, going 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA.
A 6-foot-2 left-hander, Duke has a fastball that consistently hits 90-92 mph, mixes speeds effectively and has a reputation for learning quickly how to outwit a hitter. He acknowledges a need to improve his two-seam fastball and changeup, but his repertoire generally is viewed as major-league ready.
