Ronny Agustin

RONNY AGUSTIN, LEFT HANDED PITCHER
Born: September 18, 1994
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2014, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

Agustin is a lower profile prospect who was nearly 20 when he signed.  He’s a lefty who throws in the upper-80s to low-90s, with a curve and change.  The curve is his out pitch and accounts for some high K rates.

2015
DSL:  1-5-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 48.0 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

Agustin split his time evenly between starting and relieving, doing the latter initially and then joining the rotation.  He had just a decent season, although he pitched his best in his four August starts, holding opponents to a .538 OPS.

2016
R:  2-1-1, 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 28.2 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 12.2 K/9

The Pirates moved Agustin up to the GCL, possibly due to his strong finish in 2015.  His age may also have played a factor, as he opened the season at 21.  He pitched well, with peripherals better than his ERA, including a very high K rate.

2017
A:  3-0-1, 3.06 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35.1 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 13.2 K/9

The Pirates kept Agustin in extended spring training until June, then assigned him to West Virginia.  He appeared in 20 games in relief and continued to pile up strikeouts.  He had some control problems.  He was unhittable against left-handed batters, holding them to a 122/234/122 line.  Right-handers didn’t do that well, either, with a 200/301/325 line.

2018
A+:  1-5-5, 3.33 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 46.0 IP, 6.8 BB/9, 7.6 K/9

Agustin was much less effective at Bradenton than at lower levels.  Although his ERA was solid, his walk and K rates both regressed badly.  His xFIP of 5.12 is probably a better indicator.  He still wasn’t easy to hit; opponents batted only .199 against him with just one home run.

Agustin is Rule 5 eligible but wasn’t added to the 40-man roster.  He’ll open 2019 at Altoona.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2019: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2015
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2021
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 2, 2014: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.