Rob Scahill

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
A-:  1-4-0, 3.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 63.0 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 8.3 K/9

Scahill had a solid debut, making 15 starts in the Northwest League.  He allowed only two HRs in 63 innings.

2010
A+:  10-7-0, 4.73 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 156.0 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 8.1 K/9

The Rockies jumped Scahill up to the California League and he pitched respectably, given the high-offense nature of the league.  He had a 3.41 ERA in his last 14 starts.  Baseball America ranked him as the Rockies’ 15th best prospect after the season.

2011
AA:  12-11-0, 3.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 160.2 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 5.8 K/9

Scahill pitched respectably in AA, although the bottom dropped out of his K rate.

2012
AAA:  9-11-0, 5.68 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 152.0 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 9.4 K/9
MLB:  0-0-0, 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8.2 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 4.2 K/9

Scahill struggled for most of the year in AAA, probably not helped by pitching at Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League.  He had trouble with walks, although he did fan over a batter an inning.  Scahill started pitching better late in the year and the Rockies called him up a week into September.  He pitched in relief in the majors.

2013
AAA:  5-1-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 46.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.8 K/9
MLB:  1-0-0, 5.13 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 33.1 IP, 2.4 BB/9, 5.4 K/9

The Rockies moved Scahill full-time to the bullpen and called him up on four occasions.  He pitched in 23 games at each spot.  His numbers in the majors took a hit in his last five outings when he allowed eight runs in fewer than eight innings.

2014
AAA:  2-3-2, 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 58.1 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 8.2 K/9
MLB:  1-0-0, 4.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 15.0 IP, 5.4 BB/9, 6.6 K/9

Scahill spent most of the season in AAA, coming up briefly in June and July, then spending September with the Rockies.  He pitched reasonably well in AAA, but struggled in the majors, especially with his control.  Colorado designated him for assignment after the season and traded him to the Pirates.

2015
R:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 4.5 K/9
AA:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 0.0 K/9
AAA:  0-0-0, 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 6.2 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 8.1 K/9
MLB:  2-4-0, 2.64 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 30.2 IP, 4.7 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

As a hard-throwing reliever with groundball tendencies, Scahill fit the Pirates’ preferences.  Scahill had a good spring and was optioned to AAA near the end of March.  He was recalled before the season even started, though, when Charlie Morton went on the disabled list.  That Scahill and not John Holdzkom was recalled was surprising, but Clint Hurdle said that the Pirates regarded Scahill as a multi-inning reliever, a role they apparently did not consider Holdzkom suited for.  (Holdzkom ended up struggling with injuries and control problems all year anyway.)  Scahill put up a 2.08 ERA through late June, but really didn’t pitch very well, as he had a 1.50 WHIP and control problems.  At that point, he went on the disabled list with forearm pain.  He returned in time to go on a minor league rehab, but didn’t pitch well in half a dozen AAA outings.  The Pirates called him up for September anyway.  He pitched poorly in four outings, mainly mop up roles.  Scahill still finished the season with a good ERA, but his xFIP of 4.15 more accurately reflected his pitching.  He had a very high groundball rate of 61.6%, but he didn’t throw strikes or miss bats.  Opponents got on base at a .355 clip.

Scahill hasn’t been a dominant pitcher at any level; he’s had more hits allowed than innings pitched every year other than his pro debut and hasn’t fanned many hitters in his major league trials, especially not for a reliever.  The Pirates like him, though, due to his velocity and the groundballs.  He has an option left and they sent him to AAA to start the season.