Stratton Returns to Pirates, Makes Statement in Iowa

Hunter Stratton is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he wasted no time showing Iowa baseball fans what he can do. The right-handed reliever made his Triple-A debut with Indianapolis on June 21, throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in a 3-1 road win over the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines. The Pirates acquired Stratton from the Atlanta Braves on June 18 in exchange for catcher Joey Bart, hoping the familiar arm can stabilize a struggling bullpen as the team pushes for the postseason.

Why the Pirates Brought Back Hunter Stratton

Pittsburgh's bullpen has been a weak spot all season, and the front office decided to act. Stratton is no stranger to the Pirates organization. The team originally drafted him in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Walters State Community College. He appeared in 47 games for Pittsburgh between 2023 and 2025 before being designated for assignment and traded to the Braves last summer.

Now, he gets another shot. The Pirates simply need reliable arms, and Stratton's past performance suggests he can provide them. During his first two major league seasons in 2023 and 2024, Stratton posted a solid 3.26 ERA across 44 appearances and 49.2 innings pitched. Those are the kind of numbers that earn a pitcher another opportunity.

Bullpen Troubles Created an Opening

The Pirates' bullpen issues go beyond normal growing pains. Right-handed relievers Isaac Mattson and Dennis Santana have regressed this season, dropping from high-leverage roles to standard bullpen duty. The team also designated Justin Lawrence for assignment before trading him to the Minnesota Twins on June 1.

Left-handed relievers Mason Montgomery, Evan Sisk, and Gregory Soto have pitched better, but the bullpen has still struggled to hold leads and keep games from getting tighter than they should be. Pittsburgh has even turned to rookies like Brandan Bidois and potential future starters like Wilber Dotel and Antwone Kelly, searching for any internal solution.

That leaves a clear void for a right-handed reliever with experience, someone who can shut down opposing lineups or at least deliver a clean inning when called upon. Stratton fits that description.

How Stratton Can Seize This Opportunity

Stratton's success relies on pitchability rather than overpowering stuff. He works with a four-seam fastball in the 95-97 mph range, a cutter sitting 93-95 mph, and a slider around 85 mph. He won't blow hitters away with raw velocity, but his ability to induce weak contact on his harder pitches and generate a solid whiff rate on his slider is where he finds his edge.

The Pirates do not need Stratton to be an ace reliever. They need him to take advantage of this opening, find his rhythm, and deliver consistent innings. If he can do that early and often, he will earn and keep his spot on a team fighting for a playoff berth.

What Pirates GM Ben Cherington Said About Stratton

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington addressed the Stratton acquisition on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan on June 21. Stratton is currently with Triple-A Indianapolis, and the organization plans to move him between the majors and minors as needed throughout the season.

High character guy who's shown a lot of resiliency. Fought a lot to get to the big leagues in the first place. He's big, he's physical, he's durable, he can pitch, he's got multiple weapons, we've seen him have stretches of real success at the major league level.

Cherington noted that Stratton had not pitched much in June, partly because of his designation for assignment, so the immediate priority is getting him back into a rhythm.

He's on option right now in Indy. He hadn't pitched a lot in the month of June, partly because of the DFA. So we're just gonna get him back on his feet with Indy, get him back in a rhythm, hopefully with pitching and he goes right into that group of optionable relievers, some of whom are on the team now, some of whom are in Indy, that will have a chance to come up and help us win games.

Cherington made it clear that the move serves two purposes: building organizational depth and giving a proven pitcher a chance to contribute when the moment calls for it.

It's a combination of increasing our depth, but also giving another guy, if he's hot and on the right stretch, can come up and help us win games.

What Does Stratton's Return Mean for Iowa Baseball Fans?

Iowa Cubs fans in Des Moines got a firsthand look at Stratton's return to the Pirates system on June 21. His two scoreless innings with two strikeouts offered a promising glimpse of what he can bring to Pittsburgh's bullpen. For Iowa baseball followers tracking Triple-A talent, Stratton is a name to watch as the Pirates navigate their bullpen challenges heading into the summer stretch.

Can Hunter Stratton Secure a Permanent Bullpen Role?

Yes, Stratton can earn a permanent role if he replicates his 2023-24 form, when he posted a 3.26 ERA over 44 appearances. The Pirates have a clear need for reliable right-handed relief pitching, and Stratton's prior experience in Pittsburgh gives him an advantage over unproven options.

When Will Hunter Stratton Rejoin the Pittsburgh Pirates?

There is no official timeline, but Stratton could be called up soon if he continues pitching well at Triple-A Indianapolis. Pirates GM Ben Cherington indicated that Stratton is part of the team's group of optionable relievers who can be moved up when the major league club needs help.