Pittsburgh Pirates: Non-Tendered Pitchers Worth Pursuing

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Hansel Robles #57 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 20, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Hansel Robles #57 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 20, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Aug 23, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Wisler

Matt Wisler was once a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system. However, he struggled in his time with the Braves posting a 5.27 ERA, 4.93 FIP and 1.41  WHIP in 324.2 innings. He only struck out 230 batters and walked 107, but home runs were the biggest issue for Wisler. He posted a 1.5 HR/9 during his time in Atlanta.

Since his departure from the Braves, Wisler bounced around with several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners. Last season, he pitched for the Minnesota Twins and was outstanding.

Wisler spent the season as a swingman pitching 18 games where four were starts. All told, Wisler threw 25.1 innings where he posted a 1.07 ERA, 3.35 FIP and 1.14 WHIP. Wisler had a high walk rate of 13.1%, but a strong 32.7% strikeout rate and surrendered just two home runs.

Wisler’s Baseball Savant page looks awesome. He’s in the top 90th percentile or better in hard hit rate (28.6%), xERA (2.76), barrel percentage (3.6%), expected batting average (.146), expected slugging percentage (.274), expected wOBA (.247), xwOBACON (.273) and whiff percentage (36.1%).

There is some risk in Wisler though. Aside from his poor numbers from 2015 to 2019, he didn’t have the greatest ERA predictors in 2020. He had a 4.00 SIERA, 4.99 xFIP and 4.63 DRA. He also only had a ground ball rate of just 23.6% and fly ball rate over 60% (63.6%). Still, if the Pittsburgh Pirates are able to get him on a low cost one year deal, he could be a nice low risk signing.