Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Examining Newcomers to FanGraphs List

RHP Reliever Hunter Stratton

It’s not often you see relief pitchers appearing on top prospect lists. Granted, while Hunter Stratton only ranks no. 58, it’s still a noteworthy placement to see a late-blooming relief pitcher even make the top 60.

2021 was the first year Stratton pitched solely out of the bullpen. All 49 innings came as a reliever, and he pitched to the tune of a 2.39 ERA, 3.03 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP. Stratton was a strikeout machine, getting over a third of batters to go down on strike-three (34.1% to be exact). He was also phenomenal at limiting home runs. He gave up just 3 for a 0.55 HR/9 rate.

Though it wasn’t all sunshine-and-rainbows for the right-hander. Stratton allowed 12.2% of batters to reach via free pass. Despite having such a great home run rate, he had a fly ball rate of 48.1% and ground ball rate of just 31.5%. xFIP, which takes HR/FB ratio into account, pinned him at 4.03.

Stratton’s four-seam fastball, cutter, and slider are all quality offerings. They’re above-average pitches. However, he has poor command. While he is a late bloomer, most relief prospects are. Another trait late-blooming relief prospects have is so-so command.