The Pirates announced that they have claimed right-hander Michael Darrell-Hicks off waivers from the Angels and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis. He had been designated for assignment by the Halos a few days ago. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, catcher Endy Rodríguez has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Darrell-Hicks, 27, was an undrafted free agent signing from 2022. The Angels moved him from a starting role to the bullpen going into the 2024 season. He logged 62 1/3 innings combined between Double-A and Triple-A last year, allowing 2.60 earned runs per nine. He struck out 26.4% of batters faced, limited walks to a 5% clip and got grounders on 48.8% of balls in play. FanGraphs ranked him as the #21 prospect in the system going into this year.
The Angels added him to their roster in early April and he has been shuttled between Triple-A and the majors since then. In his 7 2/3 big league innings, he has allowed eight earned runs while striking out six and giving out four walks. In his 22 1/3 Triple-A innings, he has an 8.87 ERA but a lot of that is likely luck, as his .386 batting average on balls in play and 59.5% strand rate are both on the unfortunate side. His 21.3% strikeout rate, 7.4% walk rate and 46.7% ground ball rate are all decent numbers.
He still has a full slate of options and just a handful of service days, so he can potentially be a long-term depth arm for the Pirates if he continues to hang onto his 40-man roster spot. For now, he’ll head to Indianapolis and await his next big league opportunity.
As for Rodríguez, his status isn’t clear but the transfer to the 60-day IL is a bit ominous. He was only placed on the 10-day IL a few days ago due to right elbow inflammation. Based on today’s move, the Bucs don’t expect him back until August at the earliest. He missed the entire 2024 season due to UCL surgery on that elbow.
More information should be forthcoming on his status in the coming days or weeks. For the time being, he won’t factor into the club’s catching mix. Henry Davis and Brett Sullivan are the active backstops. Joey Bart is on the concussion-related IL but should be back in the mix soon since he has already begun a rehab assignment.
Photo courtesy of Raymond Carlin III, Imagn Images
Good stuff, okay whiff rate, exit velo, and barrel rate at Triple-A this year, especially considering he is in the PCL. A little worried about Endy though.
Hope it works out. I can definitely see the attraction for a GM to bring him in.
aren’t you the one who said that when Horowitz comes off the IL the offense would be better, MLB1225?
I don’t see much difference
That definitely wasn’t me.
I saw you Halos. You said that platoon with the trashed wrist that Toronto Cleveland wanted nothing to do with was going to make Pirates better.
Oh boy, not good for Endy
Looks like he Endy his career. 😢
Injuries aside, Endys hitting has been very underwhelming
Endy cannot catch a break…
As for the new guy, the numbers don’t look great at first glance, but he turned pro at a late age and hasn’t spent much relative time in the minors. Absolutely worth a look considering the current state of the big league bullpen depth.
Maybe Endy is just injury prone, or should stop being a catcher and focus instead on first base where his throwing arm isn’t as tested as it is behind the plate
He will never be able to hit well enough to play first base.
He had some time at second base in the minors I believe.That may be his only option going forward.
Darrell-Hicks will pitch well in a new environment. Pittsburgh probably will take time
Catchers are the hardest players to develop and when they keep getting hurt, that doesn’t help either. I don’t think they will trade any of them this year as they all seem needed and Endy has no value at this point.
A+