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Pittsburgh Pirates: Analyzing Farm System’s Best Pitching Tools

By Noah Wright

(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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VENICE, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Miguel Yajure #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the third inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
VENICE, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Miguel Yajure #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch during the third inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training game at CoolToday Park on March 09, 2021 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Changeup and Command

Miguel Yajure

Changeup Grades:

FanGraphs: 50 Current, 55 Future

MLB Pipeline: 55

Command Grades:

FanGraphs: 50 Current, 60 Future

MLB Pipeline: 55

Miguel Yajure has some of the best control in the Pirate far, system and the best changeup as well. Yajure was the headliner of the package of prospects heading back to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Jameson Taillon trade and is a one of the team’s more notable prospects.

Yajure has improved every level of the minor leagues he has pitched at. In 2019, the right-handed starting pitcher spent the year at High-A and Double-A pitching to the tune of an outstanding 2.14 ERA, 2.51 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 138.2 innings of work. Yajure displayed that ability to command his pitches with a walk rate of just 5.4%. He also allowed just 5 home runs impart to a strong 54.6% ground ball rate at High-A where he pitched 127.2 of his innings.

While he isn’t a strikeout machine, racking up 133 strikeouts for a 23.9% rate, it’s still a very solid mark and a huge improvement from what it was in his first two pro seasons (13.4% in 88.1 innings). He’s also pitched some in the MLB, but only has thrown 7 innings, allowing 1 run but walking five.

Yajure has an impressive arsenal of pitches. His changeup is seen as a 55-grade by both MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs. However, that’s far from even his best pitch. That would belong to either his cutter. His cutter is seen as a 60-grade offering in the near future by FanGraphs and has a 55 grade on MLB Pipeline. He also will toss a four seam fastball that’s seen as an above average offering by FanGraphs and curveball with the potential to be a fourth average or better pitch.

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Yajure’s ability to throw four pitches with average or better potential while having great command make him one of the team’s most intriguing and highest floor prospects in the system. The former Yankee prospect will turn 23 on the first day of May. While he may not open the season in the team’s rotation, he’s an easy candidate to make a mid-season appearance and lock down a rotation spot before the end of the 2021 campaign.

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