Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Three Relievers Off to a Strong Start

Mar 1, 2021; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Yerry De Los Santos (83) poses during media day at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MLB Photos via USA Today Sports
Mar 1, 2021; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Yerry De Los Santos (83) poses during media day at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MLB Photos via USA Today Sports /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
BRADENTON, FLORIDA – MARCH 16: Yerry De Los Santos #71 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a picture during the 2022 Photo Day at LECOM Park on March 16, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Yerry De Los Santos

Yerry De Los Santos missed a good chunk of 2021 because of injuries. He only ended up pitching a total of 23.2 innings, which was disappointing after he had such a great 2019 campaign. But, as Marty wrote about Sunday, that hasn’t stopped the 24-year-old from pushing for a potential promotion early into 2022.

De Los Santos has pitched six innings with the Indianapolis Indians, racking up eight strikeouts. He’s yet to walk any of the 19 batters he has squared off against. Plus, with only one hit and one earned run, De Los Santos looks like he’s picking up where he left off in 2019.

De Los Santos has a mid-90’s four-seamer and an above-average slider to go along with it. He’s made a nice story to follow, going from a 17-year-old starting pitcher back in 2015 to a guy who could make a name for himself with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. If De Los Santos is the real deal, he will make a formidable late-inning bullpen combo with Crowe, Bednar, and Stratton.