Two young Pirates pitchers closed out the season better than anyone in the National League.
Jared Jones and Mason Montgomery entered the season on different paths, but ended with the same recognition.
Jones was awarded National League Pitcher of the Month for September earlier this week. Montgomery earned NL Reliever of the Month after a dominant stretch as Pirates closer.
In five starts, Jones delivered a 3-0 record with a 0.93 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 29 innings. Jones only allowed three earned
runs and opponents hit .133 off the 25-year-old righty.
He recovered well from internal brace surgery to post the best month of his career.
Montgomery further solidified himself as the Pirates’ closer of the future with an impressive close to the season.
The flamethrowing righty recorded 16 strikeouts in 13 games. Montgomery earned a 2.08 ERA, allowing three runs in one outing against the Tigers on September 26 but not allowing any runs in his other 12.1 innings pitched.
Pittsburgh won 11 games with Montgomery earning the save. Opponents hit .174 off him in September and it equated to a 0.92 WHIP.
The 26-year-old finished with a 2.88 ERA in 68.2 innings during his first season with the Pirates. Montgomery struck out 105 batters, a rarity for relievers to exceed 100 strikeouts in the modern game.
Jones and Montgomery will be anchors of the Pirates’ rotation and bullpen in 2027. Ben Cherington and Don Kelly’s coaching staff are likely to return.
Pittsburgh finished the season 82-80 for its first winning campaign since 2018.
