The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed right-handed pitcher Peter Solomon from the Houston Astros on Sunday. The 26-year-old has spent the entire 2022 season in Triple-A with Sugar Land of the Pacific Coast League, where he has a 5.20 ERA in 97 innings over 18 starts and five relief appearances, with 44 walks, 88 strikeouts and a 1.45 WHIP. Solomon’s only MLB experience came last year with the Astros when he put up a 1.29 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 14 innings over six appearances. Solomon has been optioned to Indianapolis.
Baseball America rated Solomon as the #19 prospect in the Houston system coming into this year. His fastball is average at best, but it plays up in shorter outings. He has a five-pitch mix, with his curve and changeup rating as his best pitches, getting 55 grades.
To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Colin Holderman has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. He is out due to shoulder soreness and wasn’t expected to return this season.
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball.
When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.
Beyond the easy/lazy numbers…… Solomon was Pacific Coast League (PCL) Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and Pitcher of the Month in July 2022.
Has any current Pirates pitcher in the minors ever been Pitcher of the Year in the International League?
PCL is a known ‘hitter friendly’ league with many fields at high altitude, driving up ERA’s.
Astros have a MLB dominate pitching staff, easily Top 3 in all of MLB, and top player development process. There was just no room to advance in Houston for Solomon, he was road blocked in effect.
To see all the negativity comments about dumpster diving, from Pirates fans is comical, anybody, from anywhere, is better than what exists today in Pittsburgh.
Maybe be positive and optimistic Solomon could provide some help. It does happen.
The Pirates ownership and management have earned all of the expected cynicism and sarcasm that comes their way when they repeatedly make these kind of signings….so, they have a LONG way to go deserve any benefit of the doubt. Compared to most of their dumpster dive type of signings, this one actually has some upside. But, I remain very skeptical…the Pirates don’t have a very strong track record with reclamation projects.
No need to bring up Bolton, Burrows, Thomas, etc. and give them some valuable MB experience and help the big club – instead, lets sign another tried and failed pitcher from another organization.
This move does not stop Bolton, Burrow, Thomas, or anyone else from gaining MLB experience. Solomon was sent directly to Indy. Can easily bring up anyone else that they wish. They can create a spot on the 40 man any number of ways right now if and when they decide to bring someone up when the AAA season is over.
ERA over 5….that is the perfect profile for BC…he seems to like pitchers like that
Cherry is throwing another pebble into the lake to watch the ripples it makes. I always wonder why the alleged talent in the minors are never given a fair chance to succeed.
Unlike some of Cherington’s claims, this one is nice not only because there’s some upside but also that he has another option year.
Well, it’s interesting if you go back and read all the old reports on Solomon, esp at BA because it’s almost a year-be-year chronicle. It’s always about how this or that “could” become a plus pitch, not that it “has.” Except each writeup sounds less hopeful than the previous year’s.
Next year’s competition for a starter job on the big league club.
It seems to me all of these waiver claims and the handwringing about them are much ado about nothing. Cherington’s shooting in the dark and going for quantity over quality hoping to find something of value. So far there’s not much to show for it but finding a diamond in the ruff is always a possibility no matter how slim. Pick ups like this are certainly nothing to get excited about but what’s the harm especially with a team like the Pirates that’s already a total disaster? Most, if not all, of them will eventually be released anyway.
I think part of the annoyance with this is that it never ends. At some point you think you would try to put an actual team together and I wouldn’t be as many slots on that team for endless waiver claims.
What the hell are you guys worried about ? It’s not costing you any money.
Jesus H Christ! Will the dumpster diving ever stop?
No. Why do you care? Do you have a better plan for auditioning talented players.
Maybe just bringing up ones from within your own system.
Yeah, get a competent GM who can find some talented players to audition.
I’m sure they could find some talented players but who are you going to find to pay them? Nutting has deep pockets but short arms.
Was this a ‘wise’ move? 🙂
You’re the king, Foo, not to split hares. Or babies.
Good ‘baby’ reference. I just read that passage last week.
The Pirates never make wise moves.
Tis the season for waiver claims league wide. They need new arms for pen depth for next season so he is worth a look for a few outings over the last 15 games.
More podge!
We need to dodge Hodge, Rog. (I’m sorry…I’ll head back to my room in the lodge).
My goodness…another WTF…
Oh boy, another waiver claim! Cheringtoon never misses a chance to add somebody to blow games.
sonebody has to go back and get a ****load of dimes