Pittsburgh Pirates: Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Make the Team

RHP Cody Bolton

Cody Bolton’s future is entirely up in the air. Bolton struggled down the line after a blazing hot start to the 2019 season, both in terms of health and performance. With no 2020 minor league season, Bolton looked to redeem himself in 2021. But his plans were put on hold after he tore his meniscus.

Now going into his age-24 campaign, Bolton is two full years removed from playing professionally. While he hasn’t pitched in a while, there’s still the chance he breaks camp with the team. He still has experience in the upper minor leagues and could start the year out in the bullpen.

The last time Bolton pitched, he had a 3.28 ERA, 3.03 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP between High-A and Double-A. But it was a tale of two stories for Bolton. After starting the year with a 1.61 ERA, 1.96 FIP, and .86 WHIP, he would go on to post a 5.85 ERA, 4.76 FIP, and 1.35 WHIP at Altoona.

Everything went in the wrong direction for Bolton. His strikeout rate plummeted from 28.9% to just 19.8%. Meanwhile, his walk rate shot up from 5.9% to 9.6%. But the biggest culprit to his struggles was home runs. After posting just a .15 HR/9 and allowing a single home run at High-A, he would see his HR/9 skyrocket to 1.35 and give up six more long balls.

Bolton has tinkered with his stuff this off-season, re-adding his slider to his arsenal. It was a pitch he dropped as “It really wasn’t my say. [It] was the old pitching staff” (per Alex Strumpf). He also throws a fastball and changeup, so it’ll be interesting what next season brings.

But Bolton looks like he’s fully healthy and ready for what 2022 brings him. Could we see him start the year in the Major Leagues? Well, the Pittsburgh Pirates already had the idea of moving him to the bullpen at Indianapolis to at least start the 2021 season before his injury. It might be a bit quick to bring him to the majors, but hey. The new regime hasn’t shied away from bumping prospects to the next level.