Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Former First-Rounder Kyle Waldrop

July 3, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kyle Waldrop (57) pitches during the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed another first-round draft pick on a flyer with an invite to Major League Spring Training today when they signed pitcher Kyle Waldrop.  The Bucs tweeted the news out this afternoon and Waldrop will be the 18th player coming to spring training as a non-roster invitee.

The right hander is shown in a video below from five years ago. We are working on a new one that shows how effective he pitched against left-handed batters in the world’s smallest sample size.  The righty allowed no runs over 10 plus innings against left-handed hitters, he gave up nearly five runs against right-handed batters over 11  innings.  Groundballs are his friend–to the tune of over 72 percent….no lie…over his ML career.

It’s not a whole lot to get excited about, but what the hell, this is actually a nice flyer to take.  The Bucs add another former top pick–who also is right handed—who also is a sinker baller.  It’s like a sinker baller convention!

The 27 year old made 17 relief appearances with the Twins in 2012.  He pitched well allowing six earned runs over 21.1 innings.  Waldrop started the season on the disabled list with an elbow strain in his right arm.   After four relief appearances at the A ball level, he was assigned to Triple-A where he served as part time closer chalking up four saves in 35 innings over 24 innings.

Waldrop was a former first-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft as the 25th player picked in the draft.  He made his debut in 2011 and has recorded a 1-1 record to go with a 3.62 ERA (32.1 innings and 13 earned runs allowed) in 24 relief appareances during his time in the big leagues.