Valentin Linarez

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

2018
DSL:  2-3-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 39.2 IP, 5.0 BB/9, 6.6 K/9

Linarez had a solid debut, dividing his time between starting and relieving.  Obviously, the walk and K rates weren’t good, but that’s not unusual for a pitcher in his pro debut.

2019
DSL:  5-3-0, 2.28 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 55.1 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 8.9 K/9

Pitching strictly as a starter, Linarez improved significantly.  He held opponents to a 214/274/289 line.  He got off to a slow start, with a 5.93 ERA in his first three starts, but put up a 1.08 mark in his last nine.

2020
DNP

Linarez was impressive over the last three-quarters of the 2019 season.  He was in fall instructionals and would have been in the GCL or Bristol in 2020, but the season didn’t happen.

2021
R:  1-0-0, 2.63 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 24.0 IP, 4.1 BB/9, 14.3 K/9
A+:  0-2-0, 5.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 2.0 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

Linarez made eight starts in the FCL and was mostly dominant, including a very high K rate.  He had control issues at times, but opponents batted just .188 against him.  When Greensboro needed pitchers late in the season, the Pirates moved Linarez there and he made two starts.  He mostly pitched well, but was hurt by gopher balls, giving up three in nine innings.

2022
A:  3-8-0, 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 80.2 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
A+:  0-0-0, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 7.2 IP, 7.0 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

LInarez spent most of the season in the Bradenton rotation.  He got off to a horrific start, with a 12.27 ERA through his first May start.  After that, he pitched much better.  Over the last three months, including two end-of-season appearances for Greensboro, Linarez’ ERA was 2.08.  His control faltered at times, but opponents batted only .210 against him.  He had a significant platoon split; left-handed hitters put up an OPS of .751 against him, right-handed batters just .563.

Linarez will be in his second year of Rule 5 eligibility.  He’ll be at Greensboro to open 2023.