PITTSBURGH — Baseball America today released the list of players that have become minor league free-agents. The Pirates have 24 of them this year.
Right-handers: Jose Ascanio, Anthony Claggett, Nelson Figueroa, Sean Gallagher, Kevin Hart, Aaron Heilman, Steven Jackson, Brett Sinkbeil, Tyler Yates
Left-handers: Dan Meyer, Garrett Olson, Justin Thomas, Aaron Thompson, Donnie Veal
Catchers: Jhoanel Jimenez, Rudy Pena, Milver Reyes, Travis Scott
First basemen: Jeff Clement, Gerlis Rodriguez
Second basemen: Corey Wimberly
Third basemen: Andy Marte, Brandon Wood
Shortstop: Greg Picart
Ascanio, 26, posted a 2-3 record with a 4.91 ERA in 30 games (five starts) with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. Ascanio walked just 15 while striking out 50 batters in 47.2 innings of relief. The right-hander is currently pitching in winter ball in the Venezuelan League where he has made three appearances allowing three runs on five hits over 7.2 innings.
Claggett, 27, posted a 3.54 ERA in 46 games combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy this season. Claggett held opponents to a .209 average over 68.2 inning of relief while picking up two saves with the Curve. Claggett is currently pitching in the Venezuelan League where he made four starts. Claggett is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA over 18.0 innings with eight walks and six strikeouts.
Figueroa, 37, signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh after being released by the Houston Astros in late August. In three starts with the Pirates, Figueroa allowed eight runs on 20 hits over 18.0 innings with four walks and 14 strikeouts. Figueroa is currently pitching in the Puerto Rican League, which season starts tonight.
Gallagher, who turns 26 in December, made 23 starts (29 appearances) with Triple-A Indy. He went 5-12 with a 5.11 ERA over 132.0 innings. Gallagher walked 65 while striking out 98 batters.
Hart, 29, was out righted to Triple-A Indy, removing him from the 40-man roster on Monday. Hart underwent arthroscopic surgery in August, marking his second straight year of having season-ending surgery. Hart threw his first live batting practice session since 2010 at PNC Park in early May, but his arm was shutdown in June. Hart hasn’t pitched in the majors since September 29th, 2009 against the Chicago Cubs.
Heilman, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Pirates after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies in August. He made seven appearances at Triple-A where tossed 8.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Jackson, 29, made 24 appearances with Triple-A Indy where he went 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA. Jackson walked 15 and struck out 15 over 36.1 innings of relief.
Sinkbeil, 26, is a former first round draft pick by the Florida Marlins in the 2007 draft. Sinkbeil spent the season combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona where he made 13 starts (24 appearances). He went 2-7 with a 4.82 ERA over 84.0 innings with 23 walks and 60 strikeouts.
Yates, 34, did not pitch this season with Pittsburgh. Yates missed most of the 2009 season and all of 2010 after having Tommy John Surgery. Finally healthy this spring, Yates threw with the Pirates in Bradenton but suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and underwent season-ending surgery.
Meyer, 30, made 14 appearances with Triple-A Indy, his last coming on June 9th. Meyer allowed 16 runs on 17 hits over 19.1 innings with 18 walks and 12 strikeouts.
Olson, 28, made 15 starts (24 appearances) for Triple-A Indy where he went 4-3 with a 3.03 ERA. Olson made the club out of spring training and made four appearances with Pittsburgh before being optioned to Indianapolis. He allowed one run on two hits over 4.1 innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Thomas, 27, made 63 appearances in relief where he posted a 3.89 ERA. Thomas allowed just four homers all season over 69.1 innings. He walked 24 and struck out 59.
Thompson, 23, made his Major League debut against the National League Central Division Champion Milwaukee Brewers in August. Thompson made four appearances (one start) overall with the Pirates where he allowed six runs on 13 hits over 7.2 innings with six walks and one strikeout. Combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy this season, Thompson went 5-7 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 appearances (16 starts). Thompson is currently pitching in the Dominican League where he’s allowed three earned runs on eight hits over 7.2 innings (two starts).
Veal, 27, is coming back from Tommy John surgery and also arm fatigue which limited his appearances in 2011. Veal made 19 appearances with High-A, Double-A and Triple-A where he allowed 15 runs on 32 hits over 32.0 innings.
Jimenez, 21, batted .313 in 38 games with the Pirates Dominican Summer League club. He hit five doubles, one homer, 10 RBI and two stolen bases.
Pena, 32, did not play in 2011.
Reyes, 29, did not play in 2011.
Scott, 26, appeared in just 13 games this season. Combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona, Scott went 6-for-44 (.136 avg) with a triple and two RBI. Scott is currently playing in the Australian League for the Canberra Cavalry, which season started Nov. 4.
Clement, 28, had off-season knee surgery and appeared in 31 games combined with High-A Bradenton and Triple-A Indy in 2011. Clement went 25-for-94 (.266 avg) with nine doubles, one home run and 12 RBI.
Rodriguez, 23, did not play in 2011.
Wimberly, 28, batted .238 with five doubles, three triples, 11 RBI and six stolen bases in 56 games with Triple-A Indy.
Marte, 28, batted .202 with 15 doubles, seven home runs, 37 RBI in 97 games with Triple-A Indy. Marte is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican where he’s batting .286 in 11 games.
Wood, 26, was out righted to Triple-A Indy on Monday, removing him from the Pirates 40-man roster. Wood, a former round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, spent the 2011 season primarily as a back up utility infield role. He hit .216 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBI.
Picart, 26, appeared in 56 games with Double-A Altoona where he hit .218 with two doubles, a home run and 14 RBI. Picart is currently playing in the Puerto Rican League this off-season.
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
Discussion about this post