Urquidy vs Mlodzinski vs Barco: Who Wins the Pirates’ 5th Spot?

As the Pirates’ rotation picture starts to come into focus, the fifth starter battle is heating up in Bradenton. Jose Urquidy, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Hunter Barco are all making their case — and Barco’s strong Sunday outing added even more intrigue to an already tight competition. But the story doesn’t stop there. The Pirates’ pitching depth has been one of the biggest developments of camp, with prospects like Antwone Kelly, Wilber Dotel, and Kristian Curtis all flashing in early looks. With Neil and DiNardo arriving in Bradenton for their first full week on site, they share what they’re watching most closely over the next few days — from rotation clarity to rising arms and roster battles taking shape. Spring Training is rolling, and the pitching picture is getting clearer by the day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.