Eddy Yean threw a scoreless inning in the Arizona Fall League on Tuesday.
This hasn’t been the best offseason for Yean, who has a 9.53 ERA in 5.2 innings across six appearances in the AFL. It also comes at the end of a season where he pitched 75 innings, which is a career high for the reliever.
Yean is a minor league free agent this offseason, and it seems likely the Pirates will be bringing him back after sending him to a showcase league. He had a 3.45 ERA in 73 innings in Altoona, before going to Indianapolis for two innings. Yean showed improvements with his control this year, in just his second full season as a reliever.
Entering his age 24 season next year, Yean should pitch in relief in the upper levels, and could be a Major League depth option at some point during the year. His AFL struggles aren’t a concern due to the success against upper level hitters this year, and the likelihood that he’s fatigued. The scoreless inning is still a good thing to see.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
SCOTTSDALE won 9-7
- RHP Eddy Yean: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
- RHP Derek Diamond: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
- 2B Kervin Pichardo: 1-for-4, BB
Derek Diamond came on to pitch the fourth inning. He threw a scoreless frame, lowering his AFL ERA to 3.24. Diamond also threw a scoreless inning on Saturday, and has made one start during the offseason. He’s worked as a starter in his minor league career, but could see his stuff play up in the bullpen one day.
Kervin Pichardo had one hit, and it was the hardest of the game. Pichardo hit a 112.7 MPH single in the sixth inning with two outs. He was left stranded after the next hitter grounded out. Pichardo also drew a walk to lead off the eight inning. He scored a few batters later to tie the game at 6-6.
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
- AFL: Scottsdale at Mesa (9:30 PM EST)