The Pittsburgh Pirates had a clear need when the offseason started: Left-handed pitching.
They entered the offseason without a single lefty on the roster — starter or reliever.
The free agent signing of Jarlin Garcia was followed by the Rule 5 selection of Jose Hernandez, giving them two lefty relievers on the roster.
A few minor league signings later, and the Pirates will have five total left-handed relievers in camp this spring. While the first two have a leg up on the competition, it’s no where near a guarantee.
Here are each of the left-handed relief pitchers in camp, and what they could bring to the major league roster.
Jarin Garcia
He signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract in the offseason, and that makes him one of the few true locks in the bullpen. After a rough first two seasons in the majors, Garcia has been fantastic, posting a 2.89 ERA (144 ERA+) across 202.2 innings from 2019-2022.
Jose Hernandez
It probably wouldn’t be fair to call him a lock for the 26-man roster, but if the Pirates want to keep him in the organization, he almost has to be. With a fastball that touches triple-digits, how effective his slider is going to be at the next level will be a determining factor for the Rule-5 pick.
Jose Hernandez hit 99 with his fastball, then threw 3 consecutive 98s, then finished the inning by dropping a hammer.
Impressive Stuff!
He hasn't allowed a run in his last 3 outings, 8 out of his last 9, & 12 out of his last 14. He has 21 Ks to just 4 walks this month. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/MWON2a9tgT— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) September 4, 2022
He posted a 29.7% strikeout rate in 38.2 innings last year in Double-A while with the Dodgers.
Caleb Smith
This was a late signing for the Pirates, happening only a few days before pitchers and catchers report.
A former starter turned reliever, Smith won 10 games back in 2019 with the Miami Marlins, posting a 4.52 ERA across 28 starts and 153.1 innings pitched. His strikeout rate has dropped in each year since, but he also has over 400 career innings pitched, making him an interesting veteran option should he make the roster.
Angel Perdomo
Has struggled in the 19.2 innings he has pitched in the majors, none of which came in 2022. Perdomo averages a tad under 95-mph on his fastball, and has a track record of striking out hitters, but struggles with his control.
Daniel Zamora
He reached Double-A in the Pirates system in 2018 before moving on to the Mets. Zamora has a 28.4 K% in 22 career major league innings, and like Perdomo, pitched in the minors during the 2022 season.
Daniel Zamora's slider, as spinny as ever. #Mets pic.twitter.com/D1LXYatgLU
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) March 10, 2019
He’s also struck out 28.2% of the batters he’s faced in just over 300 career minor league innings.
Rob Zastryzny
He has more major league innings than both Perdomo and Zamora, but hasn’t done too much with it. Pitching at Triple-A, but in two organizations, Zastryzny posted a 3.42 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 55.1 innings last year.
Among his 205 appearances in the minors, over half have been starts, including six last year. The Pirates experimented with Zach Matson as an opener in Triple-A, which is something Zastryzny looks like he’d be capable of.
Highlight of the Day
Pirates Prospects Daily
By Tim Williams
**Today is the first day of workouts at Pirate City. I’ll be there providing coverage. Wilbur Miller will have a photo gallery of the first workout tomorrow afternoon.
**Anthony wrote about how injuries limited the first full season for Henry Davis, the first overall pick in 2021.
**Carlos Jimenez recently ranked at #17 in the FanGraphs top prospect list. Anthony looked at the advanced pitch mix he flashed at a young age.
**Missed yesterday? Anthony looked at whether the Pirates should use a six-man rotation throughout their minor league system.
