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JORDAN STERANKA, THIRD BASE
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| Born: November 14, 1989 Height: 6′ 1″ Weight: 205 Bats: Left Throws: Right Drafted: 21st Round, 646th Overall, 2012 How Acquired: Draft College: Penn State Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Steranka has been one of the top hitters at Penn State the last few years, and put up some improved power numbers his senior year. He was drafted as a third baseman, but is probably better suited for first base. Steranka turned down the Astros last year in the 30th round, opting to return to Penn State. He agreed to a deal with the Pirates, but had mono and was unable to pass a physical. As a college senior, he wasn’t subject to the mid-July signing deadline. He ended up signing right after Labor Day. Steranka is a product not only of Penn State, but of Mount Lebanon, so the Pirates probably were hoping to have him play at State College.
2013 Steranka opened the season in extended spring training, then was assigned to West Virginia when the Pirates promoted Stetson Allie. He played first about two-thirds of the time and served as DH the rest. He didn’t hit well, with limited power and very poor walk and K rates. 2014 Despite the rough time he had in 2013, the Pirates moved Steranka up to Bradenton, where he largely shared first base and DH duties with Jose Osuna, apart from missing the month of May with an injury. Steranka didn’t put up impressive numbers, but he improved significantly over 2013 and hitting numbers in the Florida State League are mostly meager anyway. The poor BB:K ratio doesn’t bode well for his ability to hit at higher levels. 2015 Steranka returned to Bradenton in 2015 in a similar role. He backed up at firstbase and served at time as the DH, getting more playing time as the Pirates promoted some players to AA. In fact, he went from four games played in July to 25 in August. Steranka fell off badly at the plate, which isn’t surprising considering the 51:1 K:BB ratio, which is probably the worst I’ve ever seen. Steranka could be back in the same role in 2016, but he’ll be 26 at the start of the season and the Pirates ought to be able to come up with better options from among their lower-level players. |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2016: Minor league contract. |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: 2013 MLB Debut: MiLB FA Eligible: 2019 MLB FA Eligible: Rule 5 Eligible: 2016 Added to 40-Man: Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 7, 2011: Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 30th round, 910th overall pick. June 6, 2012: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 21st round, 646th overall pick; signed on September 4. |
