The International League named left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell as the Pitcher of the Week on Monday afternoon.
Waddell went seven shutout innings in his one appearance last week, allowing two hits and one walk, while striking out a career best nine batters. It was his second straight outing in which he went seven innings and just the second time since joining the Indianapolis Indians in late May that he has thrown shutout ball in a start. The first was 5.2 innings back in his second Triple-A start.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing in Triple-A so far for the 24-year-old Waddell, who has a 5.19 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP in 34.2 innings. He has given up 39 hits already, which is the same amount that he allowed in 53.2 innings with Altoona this season before his promotion. His last two starts seem to be a step in the right direction and he will need to finish strong because he’s one of several Pirates who will be Rule 5 eligible this off-season.