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.
