Pittsburgh Pirates News: Two Relievers Set to Make Team Debuts

The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken a significant step towards strengthening their bullpen by acquiring two promising arms: Thomas Hatch, freshly plucked from the Toronto Blue Jays, and their very own prospect, Colin Selby. As the Pirates aim to solidify their pitching staff, the addition of Hatch and Selby offers both immediate relief and long-term potential for a team eager to climb the ranks in the competitive world of Major League Baseball.

Thomas Hatch, the 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, arrives in Pittsburgh with a reputation for his versatility on the mound. Hatch made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays, showcasing his ability to adapt to various bullpen roles, whether it is short or longer stints. He has been used as a starter and reliever in his career. His arrival to the Pirates not only bolsters their relief options but also brings with it a player who can eat up some innings if need be.

Known for his fastball that can reach the mid-90s and a plus slider, Hatch offers a typical relief mix of pitches. The Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff will look to harness Hatch's potential and refine his skills further to help with his command issues. His career ERA in the minors was 4.16 with over 600 innings pitched. He has only thrown in 27 Big League games and has made 4 starts, but has an ERA over 5. Still, there is potential there as he graduated the prospectsranks as the Blue Jay's 10th-best prospect according to FanGraphs.

Colin Selby's promotion to the Pittsburgh Pirates roster is a milestone for the young right-handed pitcher and another Big League debut for the Organization.

Having progressed through the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system, Selby's journey to the big leagues has been a long ride. He was drafted in the 16th round of the 2018 Draft. While he is just a reliever, Selby ranks as the team's 17th prospect according to FanGraphs.

The 24-year-old Selby boasts a fastball with impressive velocity, and he pairs it with a slider, both are considered to be plus pitches. Over the course of his minor league career, Selby owns a 3.51 ERA. This year he has had some command issues with a walk rate of 16%, but he also is striking out over 30% of opposing hitters. The Pirates are banking on Selby's potential to become a long-term piece of the bullpen.