New Pirates Pitching Acquistions

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With the first Spring Break workout not to far in the future, it’s time to recap some new pitchers that will be joining the club.

Neftali Feliz, RHP, Age 28
Free Agent Signed January 6, 2016

Pittsburgh has given Feliz another look after an ugly year with the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers (6.38 ERA). It’s been a longtime in baseball years since Feliz saved 40 games for the Rangers in 2010 and a had a .88 WHIP. 2012-13 was mostly lost to Tommy John surgery. On the positive style of the ledger, he’s still got great mid-90’s velocity.

Ryan Vogelsong, RHP, Age 38
Free Agent Signed December 16, 2015

Vogelsong was 9-11 last year with the San Francisco Giants. His last “great” year was as a 34 year old with a 13-7 record for the Giants in 2011. With average stuff and below average command, Vogelsong is a known commodity. It’s impossible not to feel like the Pirates are searching for a diamond in the rough. Can their pitching coach, Ray Searage get him back to top form? After all they made A.J. Burnett a star again at age 38.

Jon Niese, LHP, Age 29
On December 9 the Pirates traded 2B Neil Walker to the New York Mets for Niese

Speaking of Ray Searage turnarounds, Niese had this to say of the Pirates esteemed pitching coach: “It seems like he knows his stuff. He takes his craft pretty seriously, and I’m really looking forward to working with him.” Back in 2012, Niese was a 13 game winner with 3.40 ERA and a paltry 1.17 WHIP. The 2015 campaign was not a banner year for Niese as he racked up a 4.13 ERA over 176 2/3 innings. He was homerun prone and dished out plenty of walks. It also marked the fourth time in his career that he had double digit losses (9-10).

Kyle Lobstein, LHP, Age 26
On December 21, 2015 the Detroit Tigers traded Kyle Lobstein to the Pirates for cash

Lobstein had a rough 2015. Allowing 1.6 baserunners per inning over 63 2/3 innings Lobstein’s ERA ballooned to 5.94. It will be interesting to see how Lobstein fits into the Pirates plans

A.J. Schugel, RHP, Age 26
On January 19, 2016 the Pirates claimed Schugel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners

Schugel made his major league debut last year on April 12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed 13 runs, five earned in five appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015.According to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, “A.J. is a guy that can run up a fastball in the low- to mid-90s, a solid fastball,” and “We like the changeup a lot. We think there may be a little bit more breaking ball to come.”

Ray Searage, Pirates pitching coach, will he find another turnaround story?

May 9, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage (L) talks with starting pitcher Vance Worley (46) in the dugout before Worley faces the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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