Holden Helmink

HOLDEN HELMINK, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: November 10, 1993
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 180
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 12th Round, 360th overall pick, 2014 (Diamondbacks)
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
College: San Jacinto College (JC)
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
Helmink hasn’t seen much action since being drafted out of high school by the Diamondbacks in 2012.  At the time, he threw 88-92 mph with a promising curve.  Helmink didn’t sign and went to the University of Texas, but red shirted there and went to San Jacinto the next year.  He pitched only sparingly there, then signed with Arizona when they drafted him again.  The Diamondbacks released him after only two years and 27.2 IP, and he pitched briefly in independent ball in 2016.  The Pirates signed him during spring training in 2017, a month after he was recorded hitting 98 mph at a training facility.

2014
R:  0-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 2,00 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 9.0 BB/9, 13.5 K/9
R+:  0-1-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 14.0 IP, 6.4 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

The Diamondbacks sent Helmink to advanced rookie ball, where he made a dozen relief appearances and struggled with his control.  Arizona eventually moved him down a level for two appearances.

2015
R:  0-1-0, 4.63 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, 11.2 IP, 6.9 BB/9, 10.0 K/9

Helmink went back to rookie ball and continued to have trouble throwing strikes.  Arizona released him after the season.

2016
IND:  0-0-0, 10.80 ERA, 2.70 WHIP, 6.2 IP, 16.2 BB/9, 5.4 K/9

Helmink caught on with Bridgeport in the Atlantic League and had significant control problems over seven outings.

The Pirates signed a couple of hard-throwing projects for 2017, Helmink being one and Andrew Potter the other.  Helmink will probably open in short season ball, possibly Bristol.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2017: Minor League Salary
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2014
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2020
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2017
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 6, 2012: Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 22nd round, 693rd overall pick.
June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 12th round, 360th overall pick; signed on June 15.
October 12, 2015: Released by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
March 6, 2017: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent.