Julio Vivas

JULIO VIVAS, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: October 1, 1993
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 227
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2011, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Venezuela
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Vivas is a RHP who’s shown good control and a little ability to get swings and misses.

2011
VSL:  1-4-0, 5.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 35.2 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 4.5 K/9

Vivas got hit fairly hard in the VSL, mostly pitching in relief.  His control, at least, was good.

2012
DSL:  4-0-3, 2.36 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 42.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.9 K/9

Still pitching mainly in relief, Vivas improved significantly in the DSL, nearly doubling his K rate.

2013
DSL:  5-2-0, 2.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 62.2 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 7.5 K/9

The Pirates moved Vivas to the rotation and he had another good year.

2014
R:  3-1-2, 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 23.0 IP, 0.4 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
R+:  0-0-1, 0.00 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 3.2 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.8 K/9

Despite Vivas having spent three years in the summer leagues, the Pirates didn’t bring him to camp in March, but they assigned him to the GCL at the beginning of its season.  He got great results pitching in relief there and also made two appearances with Bristol.  Between the two levels, he walked two and struck out 29.

2015
A:  3-1-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 42.0 IP, 4.7 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
A+:  1-1-2, 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 24.1 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 8.5 K/9

Vivas opened the season in the Bradenton bullpen and pitched well apart from some control issues, but the Pirates moved him down to West Virginia in late May.  He actually was better at the higher level, although the extreme pitchers environment in the Florida State League may explain that.  Vivas’ control problems got worse in low A, but he continued to get good results because he gave up few hits.  Between the two levels, opponents batted .196 against him.

2016
A-:  0-0-0, 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 6.2 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 17.6 K/9
A:  3-0-0, 4.17 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 49.2 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

The Pirates sent Vivas to West Virginia in mid-April, but after four outings they sent him to extended spring training.  He returned to the Power for two outings in June, but after two poor outings was sent to Morgantown.  He pitched in three games there and then went back to West Virginia for the rest of the season.  He pitched better after returning, posting a 2.43 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, with 37 strikeouts in 33.1 IP in 14 games.

Vivas will probably open 2017 with one of the two class A affiliates.  He’ll be a free agent after the season.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2017: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2011
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2015
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
April 9, 2011: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.