Eric Karch

ERIC KARCH, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: October 15, 1991
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 22nd Round, 671st Overall, 2014
How Acquired: Draft
College: Pepperdine University
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
The Pirates drafted Karch as a senior out of Pepperdine on day three of the 2014 draft.  They seemed to be stocking up on seniors and right-handed pitchers, so he fit perfectly.  He is a reliever who was moved to the closer role as a senior and had his best season, posting a low ERA and proving tough to hit.  One report had him throwing his fastball in the low-90’s, with a good change-up.  As a senior, he signed quickly.

2014
A-:  2-3-3, 3.22 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 3.6 BB/9, 6.4 K/9

Karch pitched decently out of the Jamestown bullpen, with a low K rate for a short reliever.  He was a different pitcher in July than before and after:

IP
H
BB
K
July 9.1 4 5 10
Rest of Season 13.0 18 4 6

Karch had a reverse platoon split, allowing a .788 OPS to right-handed hitters and .568 to left-handed hitters.

2015
A-:  1-0-0, 5.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 7.0 IP, 2.6 BB/9, 7.7 K/9

Karch probably would have opened the 2015 season in low A, but he had elbow soreness during spring training.  The Pirates sent him to Morgantown in late June.  He made five appearances through early July, then didn’t pitch any more.  Presumably he was hurt again.

Karch probably will try low A in 2016 if he’s healthy.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2016: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2014
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2020
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2017
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 22nd round, 671st overall pick; signed on June 14.