The Pittsburgh Pirates have released 2012 third round draft pick Jonathan Sandfort. The 6’6″ right-hander is just 20 years old, but in three seasons of pro ball, he has taken a step back from his original scouting reports from high school and this Spring Training, he left camp early in the process due to personal reasons.
Sandfort’s original draft report had him touching 94 MPH with his fastball, which along with his workhorse frame, helped get him a $462,900 bonus for signing. Once he got in the Pirates’ system though, his numbers were lower, topping out at 92 MPH in his second year. Last year for Bristol, the scouting reports had him in the high-80’s, with a lack of secondary stuff. The results last year were awful, which included a .401 BAA. In 88.2 total minor league innings, he had a 7.41 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP.