Former Pittsburgh Pirates Currently With Independent League Teams

Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

RHP Alex McRae

Alex McRae was never a top prospect for the Pirates. But the former 10th-round pick did work his way up the Pirates’ system and made his professional debut in 2018. He didn’t pitch much for the Pirates in ‘18 or ‘19, working just 33 innings and surrendering 30 earned runs.

After the 2019 season, the Bucs released McRae, where he latched on with the Chicago White Sox. Again, McRae served as the emergency depth guy as he pitched just five innings for the Sox in 2020 and 2021. After last season, McRae decided to try the independent circuit.

So far, he’s found his niche, pitching to the tune of a 3.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP for the American Association Lake County DockHounds. He’s given up just five home runs all season with a 23% strikeout rate; however, he’s only allowed 4.8% of batters faced to reach via free pass. McRae has a 4.75 K:BB ratio for the DockHounds.

Schedule