Pittsburgh Pirates: Two Minor League Signings That Could Make an Impact in 2024

The Pirates signed Ben Heller and Ryder Ryan to minor league deals, but they could prove to be under the radar pick-ups.

Jul 1, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Ben Heller (71) pitches against
Jul 1, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Ben Heller (71) pitches against | Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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The Pittsburgh Pirates signed right-handed relievers Ben Heller and Ryder Ryan to minor league deals, but they could prove to be under-the-radar pick-ups.

Occasionally, a team will sign a player to a minor league contract and find a diamond in the rough. The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to do this last year with Ryan Borucki, signing him to a minor league contract, and ended up giving them an ERA of just 2.45, a walk rate a touch under 3%, and one of the best pitchers at limiting hard contact. The Pirates recently signed two more relievers to minor league deals this off-season.

But these two arms definitely have the potential to become under-the-radar deals, like Borucki. That’s not to say that either will become the next Mariano Rivera, but they both have enough upside to potentially become quality middle relievers. But who are they? What makes them potential under-the-radar moves?

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