Tyler Beede brings pedigree to Pirates, seeking fresh start with solid debut

As one of only 20 players drafted twice in the first round and a former top prospect in the San Francisco Giants’ system, Tyler Beede brought plenty of pedigree to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

What Beede wants more than anything is a fresh start after Tommy John surgery sidetracked his once-promising career and forced the former starting pitcher into the bullpen.

“I think a change of scenery is always good and beneficial for guys,” Beede said. “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but I’ve already seen this place to be a great spot for me, familiar faces from top to bottom, from guys in the front office to guys I’m sitting next to in the bullpen.”

The 28-year-old right-hander made his Pirates debut Monday against the Chicago Cubs, pitching a scoreless seventh inning in the 9-0 loss at Wrigley Field. He got Ildemaro Vargas to fly out, Andrelton Simmons to ground out, walked Rafael Ortega, then got Willson Contreras to strike out swinging on a 2-2 changeup.

The Pirates like that Beede’s velocity increased after he underwent UCL surgery on his right elbow in March 2020, improving his four-seam fastball from 94.2 mph in 2019 to 95.5 mph this season.

“We liked the stuff,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re talking about a guy that has thrown the ball hard in the past. We think, our group thinks, that there’s some ways forward, and we’re going to work on them and see how they play out.”

Beede served mostly as a starter with the Giants, going 5-10 with a 5.08 ERA in 117 innings over 22 starts in 2019. He struggled in his rehabilitation assignment last summer, with a 6.56 ERA and almost as many walks (32) as strikeouts (40) in 12 starts before being recalled by the Giants. Beede had a 4.66 ERA with six walks and four strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings over six relief appearances this season before being designated for assignment.

Despite not living up to the lofty expectations — he was the No. 14 overall pick by the Giants in 2014 and their No. 1 prospect entering the 2017 season — Beede is appreciative of his time with San Francisco. He played for manager Bruce Bochy, pitched on the same staff as Madison Bumgarner and threw to catcher Buster Posey.

“I learned a lot from those guys,” Beede said. “It was such a great experience. Culturally and organizationally, they’re first-class. They do a great job of developing players. I learned a ton about myself and developed a lot. Then, coming over here, I feel like I can take a lot of things I learned from a clubhouse leadership role and the way that I’ve played and bring the positive attributes and continue to take the road of learning and growing and developing into a better pitcher, a guy this team can use and depend on.”

In addition to his four-seamer, which he throws on 63% of his pitches, Beede relies on a changeup and a curveball. The Pirates pitching coaches have indicated they would like him to tap into his slider, which he threw before the Tommy John surgery, as he searches to show consistency while attacking the strike zone.

“A lot of it really is in the tank,” Beede said. “It’s just a matter of reminding and bringing some stuff back.”