The Next Pittsburgh Pirate?

Pay close attention to the Rule 5 draft on December 10, Rum Bunter thinks it will be an indication of just what the Pirates think of the roster this season.

Take an unproven pitcher and we believe the Bucs are truly thinking the roster is still down the road.

But if the Pirates take someone closer to the bigs, perhaps the player we discuss below, well….just maybe the organization believes what it is spinning.

Yohan Pino makes Joe Kerrigan drool.  This RHP Cleveland Indian farm product has a great strikeout to walk ratio. 

Pino is 6’3″ and was a Twins pick up when he was 21 years old as a minor league free agent.  He is a rarity.  A strikeout pitcher with a high 80’s fastball.  How does he do it?  With a slider and changeup that are exceptional.

Pino has a great curveball and slider, and those are mixed well to earn those impressive strikeout numbers.  Pino has confidence in his pitches and uses them at any time in the count,  mixing speeds effectively to make his fastball appear to have more velocity.

One would believe, Kerrigan will love his great command over his entire array of pitches.  One thing we noticed from some of the video was please feed him some Primanti Brothers because he desperately needs to fill out his lanky frame.

The Twins referred to Pino as a bulldog, he has been called an innings eater which could serve the Pirates well in those rare opportunities when they are being blown out this season.

Pino could fit nicely into the Pirates bullpen.  He has been successful in many roles: starter, reliever, middle relief, set-up man, and a closer.

The 26 year old Pino will be picked by someone on December 10.

Pino was once thought to be one of the best arms in the Twins organization.  In 2007, he threw a no hitter against St. Lucie.  He injured his foot in 2008 and his numbers were off.

After coming over to the Tribe in the Carl Pavano deal, Pino was 4-2 with 58K in 65 IP.  He had a .95WHIP.

Pino Baseball Cube.

Think about how much talent the Tribe has right now.  Six or seven players could be plucked in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.  That’s after they added seven players to their 40 man.

Video on Josh’s Blog 

He’s effective and versatile, but will his stuff stick?  Is he worthy of the second pick?

We will take a look at another possible Rule 5 coming up, until then enjoy the huge Pittsburgh sports weekend.