Pittsburgh Pirates: Four Prospects to Watch the Rest of the 2022 Season

LHP Anthony Solometo

Anthony Solometo is another high-end pitching prospect in the Pirates system. After being drafted with the first overall pick in the second round of last year’s draft, Solometo has already made his way to A-Ball Bradenton at just 19 years old. It’s a small sample size, but Solometo has pitched exceptionally well.

In just 19.1 innings, the southpaw has allowed seven earned runs, has allowed five to reach on base-on-balls and has struck out 23. He also hasn’t allowed a home run yet, either. Solometo has a 2.20 FIP and 3.29 xFIP, so he isn’t massively overperforming in this small sample size either.

Solometo was considered the second-best command pitcher in last year’s draft. He only throws in the low-90s now but could add some velo and work closer to 91-94 MPH by the time he’s 22-23 years old. He also throws a slider, slurve, and change-up. Overall, it’s a pitch mix with four average or better offerings.

The command Solometo brings to the mound is always a plus, but his deceptive low arm-slot makes it even better. His wind-up and delivery is a mix of Padres’ rookie of the year candidate Mackenzie Gore, former Giant ace Madison Bumgarner, and former Marlins ace Dontrell Willis. A lot of guys with mechanics like Solometo don’t have the type of command he has.

Watching Solometo get regular starts at Bradenton should be on every Pittsburgh Pirates fans’ to-do list. He’s just a fun guy to watch pitch with that wind-up/arm-slot. Not to mention that he could be a quick riser through the minor league system and has ace potential in the long run.