Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Offseason DFA Candidates

Kyle Crick

Entering the 2019 season, Kyle Crick was seen as a vital member of the Pirate bullpen. However, things would go horribly wrong for the hard throwing righty. Crick posted a 4.96 ERA, 5.95 FIP, 5.56 DRA, 1.84 HR/9, and a 15.5% walk rate in 2019.

After Crick’s 2019 season was cut short due to injuries, he was looking to bounce back in 2020. Well, he would fail to do so. Crick spent time on the injured list and pitched in just 5.2 innings in 2020, this included pitching just four times in September and not being used after September 12.

Crick’s ERA in 2020 was 1.59, but this did not tell the entire story. His walk rate remained far too high at 13.8%, his 24.1% strikeout rate was a 3% drop off from 2019 and his DRA was 4.85.

Most concern were Crick’s drop in velocity. His average fastball velocity dropped from 95.3 MPH in 2019 to 90.9 MPH, while his average slider velocity dropped from 81.5 MPH to 77.1 MPH.

Crick looks like a pitcher whose arm very well may be cooked. Due to this, he could be a candidate to be DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. If he is not, he will undoubtedly enter spring training 2021 on a very short leash.