Bucs sign hard-throwing righty (and converted outfielder) Alvarado
DALLAS -- The Pirates added to their bullpen depth options Tuesday, signing right-hander Elvis Alvarado to a Major League deal, per a source. ItĄ¯s a split contract and pending a physical. The club has not confirmed.
Alvarado, 25, pitched 48 1/3 innings with the MarlinsĄ¯ Triple-A team, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, in 2024, with whom he recorded a 2.79 ERA and 71 strikeouts (33.2% strikeout rate) over 39 games. He walked 38 and had a 1.47 WHIP for the MarlinsĄ¯ top affiliate.
A converted Minor League outfielder, Alvarado leans heavily on his four-seam fastball, which he threw approximately 73% of the time and averaged 98.1 mph last season. Hitters were held to a .164 batting average against his four-seamer and whiffed on 39.9% of their swings against it. His slider is his go-to breaking pitch, which got a 35.7% whiff rate last season, while hitters batted .125 against it.
The bullpen is a priority for the Pirates this offseason after finishing 27th in reliever ERA in 2024 (4.49). While Alvarado doesnĄ¯t factor into the teamĄ¯s need for leverage relievers, he does provide some depth and potential upside at the moment.
The Pirates now have 37 players on their 40-man roster.