CRISTIAN MOTA, LEFT HANDED PITCHER
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Born: September 26, 1991 Height: 5’10” Weight: 150 Bats: Left Throws: Left Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2013, Pittsburgh Pirates How Acquired: International Free Agent Country: Dominican Republic Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
Mota is a small lefty who was nearly 22 when he signed. Despite his size, he regularly hits 95 with his fastball. He also has a rudimentary curve and change.
2014 The Pirates used Mota in one-inning stints in the DSL. He allowed only two hits in six innings, but obviously had control problems. The team nevertheless moved him up to the GCL, which seldom happens during the season. He pitched better there, although control continued to be a weakness. 2015 Mota returned to the GCL and continued pitching in relief. Hitters batted only .167 against him, although his BB:K ratio was solid rather than good. The Pirates moved him up to Bristol at the end of the season and he got into two games there, saving both. 2016 The Pirates sent Mota to Morgantown to pitch out of the bullpen. He obviously had a lot of trouble locating the strike zone and walked more than he struck out. He didn’t pitch nearly as well as his ERA looks, which his FIP of 4.45 shows. He didn’t get hit hard — opponents batted .248 against him and slugged .333, both roughly league average — but the walks created a lot of baserunners. Mota is obviously raw despite being old for a Latin American signee and the Pirates have brought him along very slowly. LHPs with mid-90s fastballs, however, aren’t exactly common. The Pirates could try him at West Virginia in 2017. He’ll play the entire season at age 25. |
CONTRACT INFORMATION
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2017: Minor League Contract |
PLAYER INFORMATION
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Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: 2014 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2020 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2017 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
TRANSACTIONS
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July 4, 2013: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent. |