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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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Williams Jerez #79 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on September 18, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Williams Jerez #79 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on September 18, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

RHP Williams Jerez

Williams Jerez was formerly a second-round pick by the Boston Red Sox back in 2011. Jerez was actually drafted as an outfielder, but after struggling to develop, the Red Sox decided to move Jerez to the mound, where he found more success, but not enough to be considered one of their top pitching prospects.

It took Jerez a while to reach the major leagues, but after being included in the trade that sent Ian Kinser to Boston at the 2018 trade deadline, Jerez got his chance to pitch in the major leagues with the LA Angels. But he threw just 15 innings and gave up ten earned runs. While he struck 15 batters, he also walked eight and gave up three long balls.

Jerez was then sent from LA to the San Francisco Giants for now former Pirates reliever Chris Stratton and then was selected off waivers by the Bucs. He only pitched 3.2 innings with the Pirates in the major leagues but did not appear for any affiliated team in 2020. Jerez latched on with the Seattle Mariners in 2021 but did not pitch in the MLB.

Jerez is now with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the Atlantic League. He hasn’t pitched much, appearing in just six games and 4.2 innings. He’s struggled mightily, though, giving up ten earned runs throughout that small sample size.