Pittsburgh Pirates News: Team Claims Pitcher Off Waivers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Adonis Medina #77 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21: Adonis Medina #77 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on September 21, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed a right-handed pitcher off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies, adding him to the 40-man roster

Wednesday afternoon the Pittsburgh Pirates added another pitcher to the mix. This move came when the team added a pitcher off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies in the form of right-handed reliever Adonis Medina.

The 25-year-old Medina is a Dominican native who entered the 2021 season as a top 15 prospect in the Phillies farm system. He pitched in 4 games, including a start, logging 7.2 MLB innings pitched last season. In these 7.2 innings pitched Medina allowed 3 runs on 9 hits, 4 walks, he hit 3 batters, and stuck out 6.

Medina made his MLB debut during the 2020 season when he made a start for the Phillies. In this start he pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. In 17 starts at the Triple-A level in 2021 Medina posted a 5.05 ERA, 4.86 FIP, 8.7% walk rate and an 18.5% strikeout rate.

FanGraphs rates Medina’s changeup as his best pitch making it a 55 grade pitch. His slider is a 45 grade pitch and his four-seamed fastball, that averages 93 MPH, is rated as a 40 grade pitch by FanGraphs.

While Medina was added to the 40-man roster, the 40-man roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates is currently full. Due to this the team will need to make a corresponding roster move in order to make room for Medina. As of this writing that move had not yet been announced.

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It will be interesting to see how the Pirates use Medina. While he pitched out of the bullpen in 4 of his 5 MLB outings last season, it would appear to be more likely that the Pirates would have Medina start the season in the starting rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis. Either way it would not be a surprise to see Medina pitch in MLB innings with the Pirates this season.