Pirates Sign Minor Leaguer Nathan Kilcrease

Posted by on May 29, 2012 | 2 Comments

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Nathan Kilcrease as a minor league free agent, and assigned him to West Virginia today. The right-hander was selected in the 30th round of the 2011 draft by the Oakland Athletics, and was released after putting up a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 innings this year for Burlington in the Midwest League.

Kilcrease is 5′ 6″, 170 pounds, and turns 23 in August. He was drafted out of Alabama, where he served as the team’s closer. He throws in the low 90s, touching 93. His best pitch is his slider, and he also throws a changeup. Despite the same last name, Kilcrease isn’t related to West Virginia left-hander Robbie Kilcrease.

Kilcrease looks to be organizational depth, filling out the West Virginia bullpen, which has struggled this year.

About Tim Williams

Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim moved to Bradenton in 2013, and will be providing live coverage all year of the Bradenton Marauders, GCL Pirates, instructs, mini camp, Spring Training, and lunches at Mixon's Fruit Farms.
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2 Responses

  1. Lee Young
    May 29, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    What are the odds of us getting TWO Kilcreases? Heck, I didn’t even know we had one.

    lol

  2. John Lease
    May 30, 2012 at 8:04 am

    Why on earth would Oakland cut him loose when he pitched that well? That good of an ERA and being drafted means you have some ability. I’d rather let him actually fail than doom him before he pitches.