Nathan Kilcrease

NATHAN KILCREASE
RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: August 11, 1989
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 170
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 30th Round, 916th Overall, 2011 (Athletics)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
College: University of Alabama
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Kilcrease was a closer in college.  He throws in the low 90s with a slider and change.  He pitched well for Oakland, but the A’s released him less than two months into his second season.  Given his height, it’s possible the A’s didn’t think he had a good ceiling.  He’s not related to Pirate farmhand Robbie Kilcrease.

2011
A-:  3-4-1, 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 30.1 IP, 1.5 BB/9, 8.3 K/9

Kilcrease pitched well in his short season debut, with good BB and K rates.

2012
A (Oak):  1-1-0, 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 12.1 IP, 1.5 BB/9, 5.1 K/9
A (Pgh):  0-2-15, 1.22 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 37.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.5 K/9 

Kilcrease again pitched well in low A, although with a low K rate, but was released after seven games.  The Pirates picked him up and he became the closer for West Virginia, helping to stabilize a bullpen that was a disaster in the early season.  In fact, he and Robbie Kilcrease, who’s no relation, frequently pitched the last several innings of games.  Nathan put up strong numbers with an improved K rate.

Kilcrease figures to be an organizational reliever and should move up to Bradenton in 2013.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2013: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2011
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2014
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: N/A
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2011: Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 30th round, 916th overall pick; signed on June 14.
May 23, 2012: Released by the Oakland Athletics.
May 29, 2012: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.