Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Soft-Tossing Prospects to Watch in 2022

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 20: A New Era pillbox Pittsburgh Pirates baseball hat is seen in the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on July 20, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Logan Hofmann

The shortened 2020 draft only had 5 rounds. The Pittsburgh Pirates had six picks, including two in the first-round, and the Pirates used their final pick on right-hander Logan Hofmann. Coming out of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Hofmann finished off his college career with 28 straight innings without giving up an earned run. His first run in pro ball was a pretty solid season.

Hofmann played with the Bradenton Marauders for the entirety of the 2021 season. He was used both out of the pen and in the rotation, making 13 starts in 22 games. All told, Hofmann tossed 82.2 innings with a 3.59 ERA, 4.68 FIP, and 1.11 WHIP. Hofmann is a big strikeout pitcher. After striking out 36.2% of batters in college, Hofmann would go on to strike out 29.9% of batters he faced with the Marauders. Hofmann isn’t like most soft tossers. His command isn’t a big strength and he walked 9.6% of batters faced. Like his walk rate, his 1.31 HR/9 wasn’t the worst, but far from the best.

Despite giving up so many home runs, Hofmann had a 16.7% line-drive rate, solid 44.3% ground ball rate, and 39.1% flyball rate. Hofmann’s so-so HR/9 and walk rate led to a high FIP, but his xFIP, which is based on flyball rate, was a much more solid 4.05 mark.

Hofmann only throws 90-92 MPH with his four-seamer. But he is given great reviews for the spin he can put on his fastball. He also uses a 12-6 curve that has great movement. On paper, he doesn’t have anything very overpowering, but he gets out nonetheless.

Hofmann’s final role is to be determined. He opened the 2021 campaign in the bullpen. He reeled off 21.1 straight innings without giving up a long ball while only surrendering 3 earned runs, and striking out 33 batters. After June 11th, the Marauders put him in the rotation and he would only make one more appearance out of the bullpen. Most of the damage was done to Hofmann as a starter. From June 12th onward, he had a 4.40 ERA, 1.76 HR/9, and 5.63 FIP.

Regardless of what role he will fill in the future, he’s one of the Pittsburgh Pirates best-unranked pitching prospects. Next year is his age-22 campaign and he’ll probably start the year at High-A Greensboro. He’s a potential name we could see in early-2023.

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