Pirates claim Sam Moll off waivers from the A’s

The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed a left-handed pitcher off of waivers on Monday afternoon

The Pittsburgh Pirates now have 39 players on their 40-man roster. This comes after the Bucs claimed left-handed pitcher Sam Moll off waivers on Monday. Moll had previously been designated for assignment by the Oakland A’s.

Sam Moll is 25-years-old and was originally a third round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2013. In August of 2017, Moll was traded by the Rockies to the A’s. Moll then went on to make his Major League debut for the A’s last September.

Last September Sam Moll pitched 6 2/3 innings for the A’s. He allowed 13 hits, two home runs, he walked three, and struck out seven. He owned a 10.80 ERA and a 6.31 FIP for the A’s in an extremely small sample size.

In 215 1/3 career minor league innings pitched Moll averaged 8.40 K/9, 2.84 BB/9, and just 0.71 HR/9. His career minor league ERA is 3.34.

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Sam Moll throws a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, and he compliments it with a mid-80s slider. On top of his straight fastball, Moll also throws a cutter. His slider is an above average pitch and is the pitch Moll goes to when he needs a strikeout.

Earlier this offseason the Pirates claimed left-handed reliever Nik Turley off of waivers. Like Turley before him, Sam Moll will have the opportunity to pitch his way into a bullpen spot with a strong showing in Spring Training. The Pirates find themselves in need of left-handed bullpen help, especially if Steven Brault remains a starting pitcher this upcoming season, and Turley and Moll will be given the opportunity to earn a spot.

It is also possible that neither Turley nor Moll survive the offseason as members of the Pirates’ 40-man roster. As the Bucs add players in free agency and trades and need to clear 40-man roster spots, Turley and Moll will most likely be among the first players considered when looking for a player to remove from the 40-man roster.

However, Sam Moll does appear to have better stuff than Nik Turley and has had more minor league success. Therefore, odds are, he would be ahead of Turley in the pecking order.