Pirates demote young lefty to start games in Triple-A

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 4: Hunter Barco #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a unique strategy with their young starting pitchers in 2025.

The team called up top pitching prospects Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler to make highly anticipated debuts — Chandler more than any rookie in the organization last season — but out of the bullpen.

To get acclimated to MLB hitters, Chandler and Ashcraft were used in bulk relief roles before entering the rotation at the back end of the season.

It worked for both pitchers, who are now fixtures in the current Pirates rotation.

The same can’t be said for Hunter Barco. Just because the strategy worked for some doesn’t mean it will work for all.

Prior to Monday night’s series opener against the Washington Nationals, the Pirates demoted Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Left-handed bullpen arm Evan Sisk is joining the club for the first time.

Barco allowed at least one run in three of his four relief appearances. He allowed one in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday as a part of the Pirates blowing a three-run lead when the ‘pen took over. The Pirates led 5-0 after the second.

Barco allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out one in 1.2 innings in the series finale. In seven total innings, Barco has allowed seven runs (five earned), walked five, and recorded five strikeouts.

He allowed three home runs in four games, totaling a 6.43 ERA and 2.14 WHIP.

Barco, 25, has the stuff to be a viable left-handed starting pitcher in the Major Leagues.

The former second-round pick only allowed three earned runs over 11.2 spring training innings and struck out 15, but also walked eight hitters.

Don Kelly told the media on Monday that the Pirates went to lengthen Barco as a starter. The Pirates are also running thin on innings and need a fresh arm, calling up the fellow lefty Sisk to fill the spot.

Kelly said the Pirates still view Barco as a starter, but he could come back to the MLB team this year in either role. Barco hadn’t pitched since April 4 until Sunday, and wasn’t pitching consistently.

In 27 games (23 starts) between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025, Barco finished 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA.

He very impressively didn’t allow a run in 25.2 innings over six starts at Double-A. Barco earned a 3.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 73.2 innings in Indianapolis.

Sisk, 28, made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals before being acquired in the Bailey Falter trade.

In 14 outings with the Pirates, Sisk allowed six runs over 12.1 innings, walked five, struck out 14, and posted a 1.30 WHIP.

He allowed two runs (one earned) over 7.2 frames with the Indians this year before receiving the call.

The Pirates host the Nationals for the first of a four-game series at PNC Park, with Paul Skenes on the mound at 6:40 p.m.