Jorge Julio Gets Another Shot On Pirates Minor League Deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reached a deal with right handed reliever Jorge Julio.

It was reported by MLB Trade Rumors in this link.  The pitcher threw well in Venezuela and it was enough to get a minor league contract and an invite to Bradenton as reported by Cesar Augusto Márquez in Lider en Deportes.  [Rob Biertempfel tweeted that an invite is not included, so let the arm wrestling begin.]

Pirates fans might remember Julio while he was most recently in the bigs with the Brewers in 2009 although he made only 15 appearances.  He also has been with the Expos, Orioles, Rockies (Hurdle connection,) Diamondbacks, Mets and Indians.  He has swing and miss stuff.  Fires bbs and the numbers show it.  He has always struggled with control in his career. He played independent ball in 2010.  This winter he struckout 22 batters in 27 innings.

In 467 major league innings, Julio has struckout 448 batters.   If he has anything left in the tank, Julio should be fun to watch this Spring Training. 

Here is Julio in 2010 with the BlueFish.