The Pirates have claimed left-handed reliever Sam Howard off waivers from the Rockies, per an announcement from Colorado. Howard, 26, had spent his whole career with the Rockies after they selected him in the third round in 2014.
A slider specialist, Howard made his MLB debut in 2018 but got his first significant big league action in 2019. He tossed 19 innings in 20 relief appearances with a strong 25.3% strikeout rate, but problems with walks and home runs contributed to a 6.63 ERA. Howard showed better in 42 relief appearances in Triple-A Albuquerque, working out of the bullpen full-time for the first time in his minor-league career.
Howard comes with another option season, so he’ll give the club a flexible lefty relief piece with swing-and-miss stuff so long as he sticks on the 40-man roster throughout the winter.
Things haven’t changed I see in Pittsburgh.
Things have not changed in all of baseball. All teams make these waiver claims over the course of any year, kick the tires up close and personal and if they like what they kicked they keep them, if not, to the waiver wire we go again.
Fun fact I learned on a Bowman baseball card Howard was talked out of quitting baseball in High School by his coach
who exactly claimed him? how can a team claim a player when they have no GM or Manager to do said claim? this is a serious question
They have an interim.
I initially read this as intern.
Kevan Graves is working as the team’s interim GM. He’s said to potentially be a permanent GM-candidate down the line, but he’s too inexperienced for now to hold the official title.
Of all the guys cut loose today, Howard’s probably the prize. I’m surprised he got past Miami, the only other team with waiver claim priority.
He’s young. a lefty, controllable, has options, and there aren’t any arbitration consequences. Sinker/slider guys usually have a tough time in Coors.
Ceiling is probably the 26th guy on your roster, but there are worse.
He will be their ace
Pirates start printing up the playoff tickets!!
Someone had him in OOTP