Pirates Claim Former First-Round Pick From Tigers To Add Bullpen Depth

The Pittsburgh Pirates have somewhat struggled lately but that isn’t stopping the team from adding to the roster.

Pittsburgh at one point seemed like it could be a playoff team this year, but hasn’t had as much success since the All-Star break. The Pirates were busy adding to the roster ahead of the trade deadline, but the club currently is 10 games out of a National League Wild Card spot with just a few weeks to go in the regular season.

Although the Pirates may not be back in the playoffs this season, there still is a lot to like about them. Pittsburgh is loaded with young talent and could be very good in 2025. The Pirates still are looking for ways to add depth throughout the organization and claimed 26-year-old relief pitcher Joey Wentz from the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf.

“The Pirates have claimed (left-handed pitcher) Joey Wentz off waivers from DET,” Stumpf said. “Wentz, 26, has a 5.37 ERA and 60 Ks over 55 1/3 IP this season. Four-seam averages 93.8 mph, gets good spin on cutter/curve. He has no options, so he will need to be added to the (Major League Baseball) roster. Pirates’ roster is at 40.”

Wentz is a former first-round draft pick who is just 26 years old. His numbers don’t look great this season with a 5.37 ERA in 38 appearances with the Tigers, but there still is reason to have hope for him. In 2022 and 2023, Wentz saw time as a starting pitcher but this has been his first season fully as a reliever. The numbers aren’t great for him this year, but transitioning to a new role certainly is difficult.

He’s a great player to take a flier on and now he will be in the Pirates’ organization down the stretch so the club can see if they have anything in him for the 2025 campaign. Pittsburgh certainly has a bright future.

More MLB: Pirates Pitcher Solidifies His Role In Rotation Amid Career Stretch