Pittsburgh Pirates Claim A Left-Handed Pitcher Off Waivers
![MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 22: Buddy Boshers #62 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of the game on June 22, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Frumbunter-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F699976634-850x560-1c9295db67afba23e33aaff2c4f069f1.jpg)
Neal Huntington added to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organizational pitching depth on Tuesday evening
The past week has featured a lot of roster turnover for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This roster turnover continued on Tuesday even when the team claimed left-handed pitcher Buddy Boshers off waivers from the Houston Astros. After claiming Boshers, the Bucs optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Boshers has spent the entirety of the 2018 season at Triple-A for the Astros. In his first season in the Houston organization Bosher owned a 3.18 ERA, 3.88 FIP, a 26.1% strikeout rate, and a 7.1% walk rate in 51 innings pitched. All 41 of his outings this season have come in relief.
While Boshers’ Triple-A numbers are strong this season, he has struggled mightily during his Major League time.
Boshers pitched in the Majors with the Angels in 2013 and the Twins in 2016 and 2017. In 86 1/3 career MLB innings pitched Boshers has allowed10 home runs (1.04 HR/9) and he owns a 4.59 ERA. His 21.2% strikeout rate and 6.8% walk rate are solid, however. Also, his 3.84 FIP indicates that he has pitched better than his ERA.
During his MLB career Boshers has had success against left-handed hitters. Lefty hitters had slugged .344 off of Boshers to go with a .270 wOBA. He has also struck out 22.0% of LHHs faced in his career while walking just 3.1%. It is possible that Boshers could prove to be an effective left-handed specialist out of the bullpen for the Pirates.
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In a bit of a surprising move, the Pirates designated utility man Christopher Bostick for assignment to make room for Boshers on the 40-man roster. Bostick has always hit throughout his MiLB career and this year was no different as he owned a .295/.351/.436/.787 slash line, .351 wOBA, and a 121 wRC+ for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Bostick got a cup of coffee with the Pirates last week and went 0-for-2. But in 32 plate appearances last season Bostick slashed .296/.406/.370/.776 to go with a 116 wRC+ and a .351 wOBA in his first taste of MLB action.