Sunday evening the Pittsburgh Pirates made their first post-lockout roster move by claiming left-handed pitcher Aaron Fletcher off waivers from the Seattle Mariners
Ladies and gentlemen we have our first post-lockout roster move by the Pittsburgh Pirates! While it was not a big roster move that fans would have hoped for, right now, a roster move is a roster move, and is good to see.
The roster move the Pittsburgh Pirates made came via the waiver wire. This move made on Sunday evening was claiming left-handed pitcher Aaron Fletcher off waivers. This came after Fletcher was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners.
The 26-year-old Fletcher is now one of just four left-handed pitchers on the Pirate 40-man roster as he joins Anthony Banda, Dillon Peters, and Sam Howard. This should give Fletcher a legitimate chance to make the team’s Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher.
Fletcher has pitched 8.0 innings in 10 MLB appearances out of the Mariner bullpen the past two seasons. He’s allowed 11 earned runs (12.38 ERA) on 14 hits, 8 walks, 2 batters hit, 2 home runs allowed, and 9 strikeouts in these 8.0 innings of work.
At Triple-A last season Fletcher made 39 relief appearances, pitching 49.1 innings. He posted a 3.47 ERA, 4.84 FIP, 6.6% walk rate, and a 21.1% strikeout rate in these 39 outings. He also allowed just 6 home runs which comes out to a 1.06 HR/9 rate.
Last season Fletcher ditched his four-seamed fastball in exchange for a sinker. He complimented his sinker with a changeup and a slider. Watching Fletcher in spring training will be intriguing as he could easily pitch himself into an Opening Day bullpen spot. Even if he does not he still has two minor league options remaining, so he’d likely start the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis which would likely set him up to pitch for the Pirates at some point this season.
With the addition of Fletcher the Pirate 40-man roster is now full. If the team makes any more additions they would need to clear a 40-man roster spot for that player. Stay tuned here at Rum Bunter for all the news that is true to come out of Bradenton the next few weeks as Opening Day gets closer.