Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Minor League Statistical Leaders

Altoona Curve pitcher Roansy Contreras as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted Altoona on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Ponies lost to the Curve, with a score of 5-0.
Altoona Curve pitcher Roansy Contreras as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted Altoona on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Ponies lost to the Curve, with a score of 5-0. /
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ERA, HR/9
Adrian Florencio
2.37, 0.47

Now, let’s move on to the pitching side of things. Starting it off, we have yet another big breakout season, this one coming from right-hander Adrian Florencio. Florencio was one of the Pirates’ international signees in the 2018-2019 off-season. After a rough first pro season, he flourished this year.

Florencio put up a 2.37 ERA, the best among all Pirates pitchers. All told, he pitched 95 innings while also having a strong 3.25 FIP and 1.05 WHIP. Florencio struck out nearly 30% of all the batters he faced (29.8%) but also had a solid 7.6% walk rate. He was also the best Pirates’ minor league starter in the home run rate department, having a .47 HR/9.

Despite his fantastic home run rate, he only had a 39.7% ground ball rate, 25.8% line drive rate, and 34.5% fly ball rate. Florencio’s batted ball rates were the only negative part of his season. With 2022 being his age-23 season, Florencio may get pushed up through the system a bit faster. He spent all of 2021 at Low-A Bradenton, so him finishing out 2022 at Double-A or even Triple-A isn’t out of the question.