The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Cory Rhodes as a non-drafted free agent. He pitched as a senior at King University this season, posting a 4.08 ERA in 92.2 innings, with a 29/96 BB/SO ratio. The ERA sounds high, but the team plays in a high offense environment, with a team ERA of 5.30 and opponent ERA of 5.54 this season. Rhodes led King University with a 3.65 ERA over 56.2 innings in 2013 and a 3.09 ERA in 84.1 innings in 2012.
Rhodes pitched as recently as Wednesday in the National Baseball Congress World Series. He pitched three times over a six day span, including a complete game shutout in which he had 13 strikeouts on Tuesday. Rhodes is a big kid at 6’4″, 240 pounds and one source lists him as being 22 years old. He should be assigned to one of the short-season teams, either Bristol or Jamestown.
