Results tagged ‘ right-hander ’
Pirates sign 17-year old righty from DPL
The Pirates have signed right-hander Leandro Rodriguez out of the Dominican Prospect League.
The 17-year-old was trained by former big leaguer Denio Gonzalez. The DPL website describes Rodrigue as having: a loose arm and projects to be a player to watch as he develops into a big leaguer.
Rodriguez signed for $80,000.
Correia overcoming a difficult year
Kevin Correia had a difficult year both on and off the mound. After finishing the season 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA (he went 12-11 with a 3.97 ERA in 2009) Correia used this offseason to deal with the death of his younger brother.
In May, Trevor Correia fell off a cliff while hiking at Channel Islands National Park in Santa Barbara, Ca. Kevin was scheduled to start the next day against the Houston Astros.
After taking a week of bereavement leave, Correia started against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 15th and allowed four runs in 5.1 innings.
The Padres were in the mist of an unbelievable season, leading the National League West. Correia’s week leave wasn’t enough time to come to grips with the loss of his brother and he felt a responsibility to continue to go out to the mound.
“It was tough,” he said. “It was the middle of the season and I still had work to do, so I had to push it back as far as I could. It’s hard to really focus on the games. It’s hard to put your whole heart into it.”
Correia believes that after coming to peace with his loss, he can live up to his potential.
“I was able to sit back and figure things out,” he said. “In the long run, that will make me stronger and better from a baseball standpoint. I can go out there and know it’s not a do-or-die situation. There are other things in life that are more important. It frees me to go out there and maybe do some stuff I wasn’t able to do before.”
The 30-year-old right-hander was non tendered by the Padres in November, and was on General Manager Neal Huntingon’s radar.
“Our scouts saw almost the exact same stuff they saw during his success in 2009,” Huntington said. “The huge bump in his ERA was due to a lot of factors beyond his control.”
“We saw some very positive signs,” he said. “There’s every reason in the world to believe he’ll have a solid bounce-back year and again be that guy who has a chance to win every time he takes the ball.”
The Pirates signed Correia to a two-year $8 million contract in December.
After spending the weekend at Piratefest, meeting his new teammates and the fans of Pittsburgh, Correia is excited for the new season to start. “Coming to an event like this, it helps me flip the switch,” he said. “I’m excited to get back out there and throw the ball again.”
Taillon makes top 50 best prospects
Jameson Taillon hasn’t made his debut yet –he will most likely start the 2011 season at low-A West Virginia– in fact, he is still several years away from the majors.
The hype that surrounds the Pirates first round (2nd overall) draft pick from 2010 continues to buzz as he was named the 18th best prospect on MLB.com’s top 50 list (The top 50 prospects were named live on MLB Network on Tuesday). Taillon was also named the sixth-best right-handed pitching prospect in baseball by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo (For a complete list, click here)
Taillon, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 225-pounds, was drafted out of The Woodlands High School in Texas this past June. He finished 8-1 with a 1.78 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings.
Pirates sign Julio to a minor league deal
The Pirates signed Jorge Julio to a minor league contract on Monday. The deal does NOT include an invite to spring training.
Julio has spent the last nine seasons with eight different ball clubs. The soon to be 32-year-old has 99 career saves and a 4.43 career ERA.
He posted a 1.95 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 27 innings during winter ball in Venezuela this season.
Hart set to throw during mini camp
The five-day mini camp taking place in Bradenton, FL., is focused on strength and conditioning this year. But for right-hand pitcher Kevin Hart, he is the exception to the “no throwing” this week.
Hart, who missed the entire 2010 season due to a torn labrum, will have his first bullpen session on Wednesday. Hart will throw no more than 20 fastballs to test his shoulder.
“You get anxious, especially after sitting here and watching games for all of last season,” Hart said Monday. “I want to make sure I’m healthy and 100 percent. As far as being ready to go mentally, I feel like I’m as ready as I can be.”
“If everything goes perfect, no setbacks or anything in the next few weeks, I should be ready to go at the start of spring training,” Hart said.
Hart is no longer a candidate for a starting role going into the 2011 season. He was informed, if healthy, he will become a reliever for the Bucs.
“You get anxious, especially after sitting here and watching games for all of last season,” Hart said Monday. “I want to make sure I’m healthy and 100 percent. As far as being ready to go mentally, I feel like I’m as ready as I can be.”
Pirates annouce two-year deal with Correia
The Pirates formally announced their two-year $8 M deal with right-handed pitcher Kevin Correia on Tuesday.
Correia, 30, went 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 28 games (26 starts) for the San Diego Padres in 2010.
Dotel persued by seven teams
According to MLB Trade Rumors, seven teams are interested in veteran right hander Octavio Dotel. The Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees have reportably inquired.
Dotel, 37, spent the 2010 season with the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies while posting a 4.08 ERA. He had 21 saves as the Bucs closer.
Bucs to sign Correia to a two-year deal
After a busy first day at the Winter Meetings, the Pirates already reached a tentative agreement with Scott Olsen and now, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick the Pirates are close to a two-year $8 million deal with Kevin Correia.
General manager Neal Huntington confirmed interest in Correia, but didn’t answer more.
“There is nothing official to report at the present time,” Huntington said. “We are engaged in conversation and are optimistic, but nothing has been finalized.”
Correia, 30, went 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 28 games (26 starts) for the Padres during the 2010 season. Correia pitched 145 innings while walking 64 and striking out 115. 2009 was a better year for Kevin, he struck out 142 and walked 64 through a career-best 198 innings. He finished with a 12-11 record and a 3.91 ERA.
Don’t expect the Pirates to be done yet. They are continuing to peruse more pitching as well as a right fielder/first baseman and a shortstop.
“You ideally want to go [to Spring Training] with more than five guys,” Huntington said, commenting on the need to improve the starting pitching depth. “With the young guys coming, and with some of the guys we’ve got under contract and with some of the guys we’re talking about trying to acquire, we may have a pretty good competition in Spring Training.”
Kristy Robinson
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