Hunter Strickland

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2007
R:  0-2-0, 6.04 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 25.1 IP, 1.4 BB/9, 7.8 K/9

Struggled in his GCL debut, with opponents hitting .357 against him.

2008
A-:  5-3-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 70.2 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 7.5 K/9

Strickland improved in the New York-Penn League, including a much-reduced opponents’ BA of .244.  He walked very few hitters and had a solid K rate.

2009
A (Bos):  5-4-1, 3.35 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 83.1 IP, 1.4 BB/9, 5.5 K/9
A (Pgh):  4-2-0, 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 43 IP, 1.3 BB/9, 4.8 K/9

Continued along the same lines in low A with Boston, although his K rate dropped sharply.  He joined the West Virginia rotation after the trade and got off to a spectacular start, combining with Diego Moreno on no-hitter.  After that, he was consistently solid, never allowing more than three earned runs except for one meltdown in which he allowed eight over four innings.  As advertised, he didn’t walk or fan many.  His velocity was indeed up to 94 or so, making him seem like a more intriguing prospect.

2010
A:  0-4-0, 5.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 43 IP, 1.7 BB/9, 3.1 K/9
A+:  2-1-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 14 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 6.4 K/9

Surprisingly, Strickland opened 2010 back in West Virginia rotation.  He got consistently bombed over eight starts, but was promoted anyway to fill an opening.  At Bradenton, he pitched well in two relief appearances and got bombed in two starts.  He then went on DL with an elbow strain and didn’t return.

2011
Did not play

Was on the opening day roster for Bradenton, but missed the entire season due to shoulder problems.  He tried to rehab the shoulder, but ended up having rotator cuff surgery in August.

2012
A+:  2-2-0, 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 45.1 IP, 1.6 BB/9, 5.0 K/9
AA:  2-2-2, 4.46 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 42.1 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

It seems likely that Strickland was hurt all along in 2010, which would explain the bad performance.  He was healthy in camp in 2012 and was throwing 90-94, with good command and an improving slider and change.  He opened the season in the Bradenton rotation and started nine games, with one relief appearance.  He got good results, although with a low K rate.  In June the Pirates moved him up to Altoona, where he pitched in relief the rest of the year.  His K rate improved a little, but opponents hit .309 against him.  He had trouble with left-handed batters, who pummeled him for a .375 average.

Regardless of how much projection scouts believe Strickland has, so far he’s been very hittable.  He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft and, in something of a surprise, the Pirates added him to the 40-man roster.  The Pirates then added to the surprise by designating him for assignment at the end of spring training to make roster room for Jonathan Sanchez the aging Brandon Inge.  Hopefully, Strickland will clear waivers.  He could still succeed as a reliever, a role in which he has limited experience.