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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Intriguing Non-Roster Invitee Pitchers to Watch This Spring
Three intriguing non-roster invitee pitchers to watch this spring
These three pitchers are non-roster invitees to spring training, but could pitch their way into a role with the Pittsburgh Pirates at some point this season
Every year spring training battles are a big part of baseball. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, there will be multiple battles this spring. You can read more about three of those potential spring training battles here.
Often times, part of these battles can be the role that minor league free agents with invites to spring training play. Each year every team in baseball has multiple intriguing minor league free agents who earn invites to spring training.
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, there are both pitchers and position players who were signed as minor league free agents and invited to spring training that are intriguing players to watch. Today, were going to take a look three intriguing pitchers who are non-roster invitees to spring training.
Right-handed pitcher Ben Heller
Ben Heller has pitched parts of 5 seasons in the majors. He pitched for the New York Yankees in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Last season, he saw time in the majors in the Atlanta Brave bullpen. Heller also spent time on Tampa Bay's active roster last season but did not appear in a game with the Rays.
In 18.2 innings pitched with the Braves last season Heller posted a 3.86 ERA, 5.02 FIP, 13.4% walk rate, and a 19.5% strikeout rate. For his MLB career, Heller has pitched 50.0 innings, posting a 3.06 ERA, 5.36 FIP, 11.8% walk rate, and a 20.9% strikeout rate.
Heller has plus stuff and the potential to be a good reliever in the majors. However, throughout his career he has battled injuries, including Tommy John surgery which cost him all of 2018 and most of 2019.
To be honest, it may not be out of the realm of possibility for Heller to pitch his way onto the team's Opening Day roster this spring. Even if Heller starts the season at Triple-A, he should find his way into the Pirate bullpen at some point this season.
Right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton
On November 17th, the Pirates non-tendered Hunter Stratton. This made the 27-year-old relief pitcher a free agent. When Stratton was non-tendered it was pretty quickly reported that the Pirates were interested in bringing Stratton back on a minor league contract. This minor league contract was signed on December 8th.
Last season, Stratton made his MLB debut with the Pirates in September. Stratton pitched 12.0 innings in 8 relief appearances with the Bucs in September. He posted a 2.25 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 6.4% walk rate, and a 21.% strikeout rate while limiting opponents to a .209 batting average.
All in all, it was a strong first taste of MLB action for Stratton. Outside of allowing a pair of home runs (1.50 HR/9), Stratton was very effective with the Pirates last September. He flashed plus stuff and looked like a potential late bloomer during his brief MLB stint.
Stratton will most likely star the 2024 season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he has pitched 143.0 innings the past three seasons. Like Heller, even if Stratton begins the season in the minors the odds are likely high that he will see time in the Pirate bullpen this season.
Right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan
On December 11th, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed right-handed reliever Ryder Ryan to a minor league deal. This led to Ryan, who pitched in the majors with the Seattle Mariners last season, earning an invite to spring training from the Pirates.
Ryan made just one appearance with Seattle last season. His 1.0 inning that he logged is the lone inning he has pitched in the majors. Ryan walked a batter and struck out a pair while pitching a hitless, scoreless inning in his MLB debut.
The 28-year-old Ryan throws a fastball that can touch the upper-90s. He also throws a slider that could develop into a quality pitch in the majors and pair with his fastball to make him an effective reliever.
When the 2024 season begins Ryan will be in the bullpen at Triple-A Indianapolis. If he can work on his command at Indy while pitching effectively, then Ryan could find his way into the Pirate bullpen at some point this season.
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