Here’s a bold statement: Carmen Mlodzinski, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-handed pitcher, is on a mission to defy the odds and redefine his role on the mound. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite his undeniable success as a reliever, Mlodzinski is determined to crack the starting rotation, a move that has left many scratching their heads. Why fix what isn’t broken? Well, it’s not that simple.
At 27, Mlodzinski possesses the diverse seven-pitch arsenal typically associated with starters, yet his career stats paint a different picture—one of dominance out of the bullpen. This irony isn’t lost on him. Instead of accepting his fate as a reliever, he’s using it as fuel. His offseason strategy? Reverse-engineer his success. By dissecting his stellar performance over the final three months of the season, where he posted a 1.89 ERA across 47 2/3 innings in 20 appearances (including three starts), Mlodzinski has crafted a blueprint for his future.
‘The way I finished the season gave me confidence,’ he shared. ‘Finishing strong is something we all strive for, and I was able to do that last year. Now, I want to start how I finished.’
The key to his transformation lies in his pitch selection. Mlodzinski is doubling down on what works: a balanced mix of his ball-to-strike sinker, four-seamer, splitter, and curveball. ‘These are the pitches I trust,’ he explained. ‘Everything else builds around them.’
And this is the part most people miss—Mlodzinski’s struggles haven’t been about talent but timing. His first month with the Pirates in 2023? Respectable. The following May? A 9.39 ERA. As a starter in March and April? A 6.58 ERA. The pattern? He falters the second and third times through the order. But instead of letting this discourage him, he’s turned it into a learning opportunity.
‘It takes time to figure it out,’ he admitted. ‘There are very few guys who dominate right out of the gate. Watching Paul Skenes do it has been a blessing, but those players are rare. I’ve had conversations with our pitching coaches about embracing failure—every time I’ve failed, I’ve turned it into a positive.’
With Skenes, the 2025 NL Cy Young winner, leading the rotation alongside Mitch Keller and Bubba Chandler, Mlodzinski is vying for one of the final two spots against Braxton Ashcraft and Jose Urquidy. His spring training debut was a statement: two scoreless innings against the Red Sox, striking out three of the first four batters, and generating eight whiffs on 14 swings.
‘I’m not expecting to struggle this time,’ he declared. ‘I want to dominate, but I’m also realistic. This pattern has repeated for three or four seasons, so we’re focusing on cleaning up that first month. Once I make those adjustments, things fall into place.’
Last year’s slow start led to a demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis, but Mlodzinski bounced back. After returning to the bullpen, he went 3-2 with a 1.93 ERA in his final 18 appearances. Pirates manager Don Kelly praised his resilience: ‘Carmen did a fantastic job. He made adjustments and came back stronger.’
Kelly’s focus now? Ensuring Mlodzinski maintains pitch velocity and movement throughout the game—a sign he can handle later innings and multiple trips through the order. For Mlodzinski, the goal is clear: prove he can be a versatile asset, whether as a starter or reliever.
‘I want the challenge,’ he said. ‘Being a big league starter is the pinnacle. It’s the hardest job in baseball, outside of elite closers. That’s my ultimate goal, and I’ll push for it because I believe it’s the best version of myself.’
Here’s the thought-provoking question: Can a pitcher truly excel in both roles, or is specialization the key to success? Mlodzinski’s journey invites debate. Do you think he can crack the rotation and thrive, or is he better suited for the bullpen? Let’s discuss in the comments!
