Pittsburgh Pirates Minors: Jeffrey Passantino to Pitch in World Baseball Classic

Right-handed Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Jeffrey Passantino will pitch for Team Italy in the upcoming World Baseball Classic

Before you know it, winter time will have passed and spring time will be here. The start of spring, of course, signals the return of baseball. This spring when baseball returns for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the rest of Major League Baseball, that will include the World Baseball Classic.

Late in the week we learned of a Pirate pitching prospect who will pitch in the World Baseball Classic. Right-handed pitcher Jeffrey Passantino will be a member of Team Italy.

During the 2022 minor league season the 27-year-old Passantino pitched at three different levels in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. He logged innings for the Low-A Bradenton Marauders, High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, and Double-A Altoona Curve.

Passantino pitched a total of 48.1 innings in 22 outings, with 19 of the 22 outings being as a reliever. 19 of his 22 outings and 41.1 of his 48.1 innings pitched came at the Double-A level with the Curve.

Across his 48.1 innings pitched, Passantino posted a 4.47 ERA and a 4.60 FIP. He allowed home runs at a rate of 1.49 HR/9, while walking 5.2% of batters faced and striking batters out at a 19.9% clip.

The 2022 season was Passantino’s second in the Pirate organization. After being acquired in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, Passantino joined the Pirate organization ahead of the 2021 season.

During the 2021 season Passantino pitched 76 innings at Double-A. These 76 innings came in 18 appearances, 15 of which were starts. He posted a 4.62 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 1.42 HR/9, 6.2% walk rate, and a 22.8% strikeout rate.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is set to begin on March 8th, while games are scheduled to run through March 21st. Games are set to be played across three countries in Taichung, Taiwan, Tokyo, Phoenix, and Miami.