The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Alec Rennard from Michigan as a non-drafted free agent. He’s the seventh NDFA player they have signed in the last two weeks, with four being infielders and the last three being right-handed pitchers.
Rennard was injured for six weeks ( described as an arm strain) during the middle of his senior season in 2018. He made five starts and six relief appearances, posting a 3.41 ERA in 37 innings, with a 29:9 SO/BB ratio and a .248 BAA. As a junior, he had a 4.43 ERA in 65 innings over ten starts and eight relief appearances. He had 65 strikeouts, 15 walks and a .251 BAA.
After graduating high school in 2013, the 6’3″, 210 pound righty attended Santa Rosa JC. He had a 2.88 ERA in 78 innings during the 2015 season, then put together a 1.40 ERA in 115.2 innings, with 90 strikeouts and only ten walks in 2016, before transferring to Michigan.
Rennard is 23 years old and relies on excellent command to get outs, pitching to contact and mixing his pitches to make up for a lack of strong velocity.