Pirates in the Playoffs: Josh Lindblom
It was the off-season just before the 2015 season and pitcher Josh Lindblom was down on his luck. He was coming off a decent showing with the Oakland Athletics, appearing in one game and giving up two runs in 4.2 innings of work in his only appearance of the season. With no room for the righty on their roster, the Athletics designated Lindblom for assignment. Then, the Pirates came in and signed the right-hander on December 8th, 2014 beginning a three-year career in the organization. He would appear in just four games for the Big League club and was released in May of 2017.
He was signed as a free agent the following off-season and is now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He earned his first full-time spot in a Big League starting rotation and took advantage going 2-4 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 games, 10 starts, and helped lead the Brewers to the #8 seed as an NL Wild Card team. He is now looking to help in long-relief in the playoffs as the Brewers chase their first World Series title in the organization's history. Lindblom is the first player in our series of Pirates in the Playoffs as we take a look at what he did in a Buccos Uniform and the contributions he has made to help the Brewers get to the 2020 Playoffs.
A Series of Adds and Drops
Josh Lindblom's first stint with the Pirates was not a very long one lasting exactly four days. After being DFA'd by the Oakland Athletics, Lindblom was claimed by the Pirates on December 8th, 2014. Four days later, on December 12th, 2014, the Pirates designated him for assignment and ended up releasing him on December 19th. However, despite the disappointment of being released, Lindblom headed to the Korean Baseball League where he worked on perfecting his craft. He spent the 2015 - 2017 seasons with the Lotte Giants where he posted a sub-four ERA in two of his three seasons. His best season was in 2015 when he went 13-11 in 25 starts with a 3.52 ERA.
After honing his skills, it was the Pirates who came knocking once again, offering Lindblom a Minor League contract and an invite to Spring Training. He did not make the Major League roster but accepted a demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis. Through the first month of the season, he was successful pitching to a 2.50 ERA both as a starter and reliever with the Indians. When the Pirates needed a bullpen arm, it was Lindblom that got the call. After a scoreless 0.1 inning in his debut, Lindblom could never find his footing. He gave up four earned runs in each of his next two outings and finished the year allowing one run in 2.1 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
That would be his last appearance in a Pirates uniform as he went on the disabled list with left side discomfort. He would come back before the end of the season but never got back to where he was. He was scored upon in six of his first eight outings back and saw his ERA skyrocket to 7.36. He did finish the year with three straight scoreless appearances, but it was too little too late for the right-hander. The Pirates would release Lindblom following the season and he would once again become a free agent. He went back to the KBO for the 2018 and 2019 season before being signed by the Milwaukee Brewers this off-season.
Brew Crew Started
Lindblom cracked his first Opening Day roster with the Brewers this season and had a place in the starting rotation right from the get-go. He made his first Major League appearance since 2017 against the team he made that appearance for, the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was shaky allowing two runs in 3.2 innings of work, but it was a good way for the right-hander to get his feet wet. After being a pretty middle of the road pitcher through his first six appearances of the season, Lindblom began to turn it on as the calendar flipped to September. Over his last six games, he has gone 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA while turning in two quality starts.
With some of the off days, the Brewers have had, Lindblom has been splitting time between the starting rotation and the bullpen in the last month. His best stretch came from September 6th through September 14th when he threw 12 consecutive scoreless innings. He got roughed up in his final appearance of the 2020 regular season, where he went 2.1 innings giving up three runs, but he is ready to go back to the bullpen to help the Brewers on their playoff run. With a best of three series against the Los Angeles Dodgers coming up, the Brewers bullpen has to be more ready than ever if they hope to advance in the playoff bracket.
Our Pirates in the Playoff feature will continue throughout the playoffs as we take a look at all the former Pirates from every team. Even if a team is eliminated before we get to their roster, we will still take a look at the players who use to be in the Pirates system. Come back tomorrow as we take a look at another young Brewers pitcher who is looking to be a reliable piece in the Bullpen against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Comments
Post a Comment