Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects 2023 Outlook: Colin Selby

After being added to the team's 40-man roster right-handed relief pitcher Colin Selby could be in line for a breakout campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023

Prior to the Rule 5 Draft at December's MLB Winter Meetings the Pittsburgh Pirates added four players to their 40-man roster to protect them from the draft. One of these four players was relief pitcher Colin Selby.

Selby being added to the 40-man roster came as a surprise to some people. However, upon further review, it should not have come as a surprise that the Pittsburgh Pirates made the decision to protect Selby from the Rule 5 Draft.

During the 2022 season, Selby pitched well in the minor leagues. He followed that up with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. Most encouraging was the uptick in Selby's stuff. Selby's fastball is one that regularly sits in the high-90s, and it is paired with a plus changeup that sits in the low-90s.

The 25-year-old righty also throws a good slider. His slider sits in the upper-80s, and is a pitch with good movement and sharp break. Selby also mixes in a curveball that has the potential to be a quality pitch for him.

Selby pitched 35.2 innings in 29 minor league outings last season. Between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, Selby posted a 2.27 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 9.4% walk rate, and a strong 28.9% strikeout rate.

In the Arizona Fall League, Selby pitched 9.0 innings for the Surprise Saguaros. Selby allowed 2 earned runs on eight hits, no home runs, four walks, and nine strikeouts in his 9.0 innings pitched in the AFL.

Looking ahead to 2023, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Selby could open the season in the Pirate bullpen. While he will likely start at Triple-A Indy, he should be called upon early in the 2023 season.

There is a good chance that the first time the Pirates need bullpen help from the minors that Selby will get the call. At this point it creates the opportunity for Selby to begin what could be a long, successful career as a MLB reliever. Selby is certainly a Pirate prospect that fans should be watching this season.