ALESSANDRO ERCOLANI, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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Born: April 20, 2004 Height: 6’2″ Weight: 185 Bats: Right Throws: Right Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2021, Pittsburgh Pirates How Acquired: International Free Agent Country: San Marino Agent: N/A |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
The Pirates signed Ercolani during spring training of 2021. He comes from San Marino, a country of just a little over 30,000 people. He’s had success playing in Italy and for the Italian national under-15 team. The Pirates were interested in him for a couple years but had to wait until he was old enough to sign. He appears to have gotten at least a moderate bonus, but the amount isn’t known. Ercolani threw 86-91 mph when he signed, but since then he’s gotten up as high as 97. He also throws a curve and change, but at this point he’s primarily a hard thrower. The Pirates sent him initially to the Florida Complex League, which figured to be a fairly challenging assignment.
2021 Ercolani made ten relief appearances in the FCL. He was outstanding at first, giving up just two earned runs and fanning 14 in his first 12 innings. He allowed nine earned runs over his last six and a third innings. 2022 Maybe a little surprisingly, the Pirates put Ercolani in the FCL rotation for 2022. He had an excellent season, holding opponents to a .185 average and allowing only four extra-base hits, all doubles. He missed a lot of bats, but did have trouble with walks. Ercolani finished the season with a dozen shutout innings, including 17 strikeouts. Ercolani had an outstanding 2022 season and he’s a big-framed guy who could get a lot stronger. He’ll be in the Bradenton rotation in 2023. |
CONTRACT INFORMATION
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2023: Minor League Contract |
PLAYER INFORMATION
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Signing Bonus: N/A MiLB Debut: 2021 MLB Debut: N/A MiLB FA Eligible: 2027 MLB FA Eligible: N/A Rule 5 Eligible: 2025 Added to 40-Man: N/A Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
TRANSACTIONS
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March 24, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent. |