WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2010
A-:  0-1-0, 2.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 10.2 IP, 4.2 BB/9, 5.1 K/9

After signing a week before the deadline, Cumpton got into brief action at State College, pitching reasonably well.

2011
A:  7-4-0, 4.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 67 IP, 2.4 BB/9, 6.4 K/9
A+:  3-3-0, 3.66 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 66.1 IP, 1.6 BB/9, 5.7 K/9 

Cumpton opened the season in the West Virginia rotation and got off to a terrible start, allowing exactly seven runs in each of his first three starts.  After a brief move to the bullpen, he returned to the rotation and immediately began pitching well.  Cumpton himself credited the fact that he started throwing inside.  After posting an ERA of 13.83 in April, his ERA in May and June was 2.28.  He didn’t, however, miss a lot of bats.  The Pirates promoted Cumpton to Bradenton at the end of June and he was a little less effective.  His ERA was solid, but opponents hit .280 against him.  His walk and K rates were low.  His fastball generally sat in the low-90s.  He was much more hittable against right-handed batters, with a higher BA and much lower K rate, but he had more trouble with longballs against left-handed batters.

After the terrible three-game stretch to start 2011, Cumpton was mostly effective, but without being dominant.  He still might profile best as a reliever if it would help his stuff.  He pitched well in spring training, with his fastball reaching 96 mph, and the Pirates moved him up to Altoona to start the season.  He’ll pitch in the Curve rotation.