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The Pittsburgh Pirates are struggling to put pieces together this year and find themselves on the outside looking in on the race in the NL Central.
One of the problems has been the fact that they were missing starting pitcher Jameson Taillon due to testicular cancer.
Former Arizona State star pitcher Trevor William was able to fill in one of the rotation spots as Taillon had to work his way back.
Time at Arizona State
Williams, without any doubt, had filthy stuff when he put on the maroon and gold.
Over three season, he spent some time as a reliever and most of his time as a starter. He finished his Sun Devil career with the fifth-lowest career era with a 2.99, respectively.
2011: 32 GP, 39.2 IP, 2.50 ERA, 35 SO, .200 Opp/Avg.
2012: 16 GP (15 GS), 109.2 IP, 2.05 ERA, 59 SO, .227 Opp/Avg.
2013: 16 GP (16 GS), 111.1 IP, 4.12 ERA, 81 SO, .288 Opp/Avg.
It was during his junior year that Williams hit a problem area. His velocity dropped down that season and he struggled keeping the opposition off base.
However, Williams’ potential and ability was well good enough to get him drafted with the 44th overall pick in the second round by the Miami Marlins.
Time in the MLB
Williams was traded from the Marlins to the Pirates and has spent most of his time in the Pittsburgh system.
His contract was picked up by the Pirates in September of last season and he pitched in his first major league game ever.
This season Williams is fighting to keep his rotation spot against a few other candidates like LHP Chad Kuhl and RHP Tyler Glasnow.
He has appeared in 13 games, while starting five of those. His numbers do not stand out particularly with a 3-3 record and a 5.13 ERA.
But in two starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks he has totaled 11.0 IP and allowed just two earned runs. He earned a win in the first start and a no-decision in the second.
Williams has always had the ability and potential to be a stand-out big league player, it is now just a matter of whether he can put it all together.