Agrazal to make debut in majors on Saturday
MIAMI — Pirates manager Clint Hurdle confirmed Friday that right-handed pitcher Dario Agrazal will make his major league debut as a starting pitcher in a game Saturday against the Miami Marlins.
Agrazal has a 3.27 ERA with a 53 record in 12 starts that have been split between Class AAA and Class AA. The 24-year-old will be the seventh player to make an MLB debut with the Pirates this season, joining Mitch Keller, Montana DuRapau, Jason Martin, Bryan Reynolds, Cole Tucker and Geoff Hartlieb.
Much like the other six players, Agrazal’s promotion will be a function of need.
“We don’t have a starter number one. We decided to go against going with a bullpen by committee number two,” Hurdle said.
Based on recent bullpen usage that’s pretty much self-explanatory.
“Dario has probably put himself in the best position to be the next man up,” Hurdle continued. “We’ve thought a lot of him in his development years we put him on the 40-man and we had to take him off. He stayed focused. He continued to work and make pitches. He’s had some good starts. We’ll see how that translates here.”
Agrazal signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal in 2012. The Panamanian-born pitcher has seen his share of ups and downs while navigating his way up the Pirates minor league system. Saturday will be the culmination of nearly eight years of work.
“The journey has been hard. It’s been challenging. It’s felt like a long time,” Agrazal said through an interpreter. “But those are things you go through as a ballplayer. But I’m here. I’m grateful to be here and I’m thankful for the Pirates trusting me with this opportunity.”
Agrazal received the news Thursday night and flew Friday to meet the Pirates in Miami. Agrazal is the sixth Pirates player from Panama. The list includes Manny Sanguillen, Omar Moreno and Rennie Stennett. Agrazal hopes to carry on the legacy of Panamanian Pirates.
“My country is so excited for me, and I want to represent my home well,” Agrazal said. ‘It feels great to join that group of men in representing my country and this team.
“I’m blessed to have such great men like them in my life.”
Agrazal’s start comes as Trevor Williams and Jordan Lyles are working their way back after injuries.
“They should rename it to the useless list because that’s what I’ve been feeling like,” Williams said. “I hope this is my last time on the IL.”
The right-hander was able to find some positives.
“It’s been good to see guys get certain opportunities,” Williams said. “It’s been a trial-by-fire for some guys. A lot of them have been getting big-league experience earlier than they thought.”
Williams was back with the club Friday after his rehab start Thursday with Class AAA Indianapolis. He said he felt good the day after.
Williams could return to the majors for the next homestand.
Lyles will throw a bullpen session Saturday in Miami and might be ready to pitch when he’s eligible to come off of the IL June 20.
Draft pick signs
The Pirates and Sammy Siani agreed to undisclosed terms. Siani, 18, was the second player taken by the Pirates in the recent draft and the 37th pick overall. From William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, Siani hit .457 with 8 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 25 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 32 high school games. He will begin his pro career with the Gulf Coast League Pirates.