Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Underrated Pitchers to Watch

Right-handed pitcher Logan Hofmann

With the 138th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Logan Hofmann. When Hofmann was selected he appeared to have a long-term future as a reliever. Through his early professional career this has continued to be true.

Hofmann has pitched in 19 professional games thus far with 10 of them being starts. In these 19 outings Hofmann has logged 68.2 innings with the Low-A Bradenton Marauders. This has flashed the positional flexibility of Hofmann, as well as his ability to pitch effectively in multiple roles.

In his 68.2 innings pitched this season Hofmann owns a 3.15 ERA and 4.21 FIP. He has walked 8.9% of batters faced, which is more than good enough, while striking out a healthy 29.6% of batters faced.

Opposing batters are hitting just .188 off of Hofmann and he’s allowing line drives at just a 15.5% rate. He is inducing ground balls at a 46.6% rate, which is not terrible but you would like to see that number get above 50%.

Hofmann was viewed as a pitcher who could quickly climb through the farm system when he was drafted. He will likely open the 2022 season up with High-A Greensboro, if he pitches well it would not be a surprise to see him climb to Triple-A Indianapolis by the end of the season. By the summer of 2023 Hofmann could be a key cog out of the bullpen for the Pittsburgh Pirates.