During the offseason, Major League Baseball teams often make roster moves to improve their chances of success in the upcoming season. One trade that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ decision to trade catcher Jacob Stallings.
But did the Pirates really trade their starting catcher? Let’s take a closer look.
The Trade
The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez to the Miami Marlins. This trade took place during the final days of July 2021. In exchange for Rodriguez, the Pirates received pitchers Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas and outfield prospect Connor Scott.
This article will provide more details about the trade and analyze the Pirates’ acquisition of these new players.
Details of the Trade
Richard Rodriguez was a vital part of the Pirates’ bullpen, with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.82 and 14 saves in 2021. According to sources, the Marlins were willing to pay a high price to acquire him.
The final deal saw the Pirates send Rodriguez to the Marlins in exchange for pitcher Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas and outfield prospect Connor Scott.
Who the Pirates Received in Return?
Zach Thompson is a right-handed pitcher who had a brief stint in the majors earlier in the year with the Marlins. He has a good ERA of 2.25 and has managed to strike out 13 batters in just eight innings of work.
Kyle Nicolas is also a right-hander who has been pitching in the minors with the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He has a fastball that can reach 100 mph and has been improving his control over the last two seasons.
Connor Scott was the Marlins’ first-round pick in the 2018 draft. He is an outfielder who has shown a lot of promise over the last few years in the minor leagues.
Scott has good speed and a solid arm, making him a good defensive player.
Analysis of the Trade
On the surface, this trade may not seem like a good one for the Pirates. They gave away an established reliever who was having a good season, but they received three prospects in return.
However, all three players have significant upside, so it is possible that the Pirates made a good trade.
Zach Thompson has shown promise in his limited time in the majors and could develop into a good reliever for the Pirates. Kyle Nicolas has an electric fastball, and if he can improve his control, he could become a dominant pitcher in the future.
Connor Scott has a lot of offensive potential and could become an everyday player for the Pirates down the line.
The Pirates have made a trade that on the surface may seem like they gave away a key player. But in return, they received three players with significant upside.
The Pirates hope to develop these players and use them to improve their team in the coming seasons. Time will tell whether this trade will work out for the Pirates or not, but it does show that they are looking towards the future and building for long-term success.
Zach Thompson
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade with the Miami Marlins, sending center fielder Starling Marte to Miami in exchange for three prospects. Among these prospects was Zach Thompson, a right-handed pitcher with potential and promise.
In this essay, we will examine Thompson’s background, his statistics and potential, and how he fits into the Pirates’ plans.
Background Information on Thompson
Zach Thompson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He started his professional career in 2016 and played two full seasons in the Cardinals’ minor league system before he was dealt to the Marlins in a trade that sent Sandy Alcantara to Miami.
Prior to the trade, Thompson had a 7-4 record with a 4.27 ERA in 17 starts in Double-A ball.
His Statistics and Potential
Since being acquired by the Marlins, Thompson has pitched exclusively in relief, and he has improved significantly. In 2020, he made 11 appearances, allowing only six hits and two earned runs while striking out 16 batters in 10 innings pitched.
In 2021, he improved again, making 51 appearances with a 2.93 ERA, 83 strikeouts, and only 15 walks in 58.1 innings pitched.
Thompson’s success is partly attributed to his high spin rate, consistently throwing his fastball in the mid-90s and a sharp, above-average breaking ball, which he uses as his primary weapon against right-handed hitters.
The Pirates likely see Thompson as a reliever with late-inning potential, given his ability to generate swing-and-miss pitches and his improving control.
How He Fits Into the Pirates’ Plans?
The Pirates have struggled in recent years, boasting a 61-101 record in 2021 while finishing last in the NL Central. The team’s focus is around rebuilding with young talent, acquiring players with high upside and team control.
Thompson fits into this rebuild nicely as a promising reliever with four years of team control remaining. As a result, he will likely spend the majority of the 2022 season in Triple-A Indianapolis, working to fine-tune his craft and take the necessary steps to get his game ready for the majors.
Zach Thompson is a promising player with high potential who has shown significant improvement since he was traded to the Marlins. The Pirates view him as an intriguing prospect for the future, and he fits ideally into the team’s rebuild plans.
If he can continue to develop his repertoire, there’s a good chance he will make an impact at the big-league level in the coming years.
Kyle Nicolas
On July 27, 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded center fielder Starling Marte to the Miami Marlins for pitcher Caleb Smith and a prospect, Jesus Liranzo.
Just six months later, the Pirates and Marlins struck another deal, this time centered around starting pitcher Trevor Williams and highly-regarded prospect, Jesus Sanchez.
However, a third trade between the two teams has potentially the most significant long-term impact: the Pirates acquired right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas in exchange for reliever Richard Rodriguez on July 29, 2021.
Background Information on Nicolas
Kyle Nicolas was selected by the Miami Marlins in the second round (No. 61 overall) of the 2020 MLB draft out of Ball State University. He had previously been drafted twice before – first out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 (35th round) and then by the Colorado Rockies in 2019 (25th round).
Nicolas possesses a power arm and was one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in college baseball at Ball State, regularly hitting 99-100 mph with his fastball.
His Statistics and Potential
In his professional debut in 2021, Nicolas dominated in Low-A ball, striking out 28 batters in just 13 innings without allowing a single earned run. He then pitched in High-A for the Jupiter Hammerheads, where he posted a 3.02 ERA in 44.2 innings pitched, striking out 67 batters (13.5 K/9) but also walking 34 (6.8 BB/9).
Despite the high walk rate, Nicolas’ stuff is so overpowering that he was often able to pitch himself out of jams.
With his high-octane fastball, advanced slider, and improving changeup, Nicolas has a legitimate chance to become a frontline starter at the Major League level.
According to MLB Pipeline, he boasts “some of the best pure stuff in the lower levels of the Minors.”. . .
How He Fits Into the Pirates’ Plans?
Nicolas’ acquisition was a shrewd move by the Pirates’ front office, as they were able to flip a soon-to-be free agent reliever in Richard Rodriguez for a high-upside starting pitching prospect.
Although Nicolas is still at least a couple of years away from making an impact in the big leagues, he could potentially be a key piece of the Pirates’ rotation in the mid-2020s.
The Pirates appear to be in the early stages of a long-term rebuild, and acquiring young, cost-controlled talent like Nicolas aligns with that strategy.
Overall, this trade was a major win for the Pirates, as they received a potential frontline starting pitcher in exchange for a reliever who likely would not have contributed to a future playoff team.
Connor Scott
Connor Scott is a 22-year-old outfield prospect who hails from Tampa, Florida. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the first round (13th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft and has been a part of the organization since then.
Scott is a left-handed hitter and throws with his right hand. He has been praised for his athleticism, speed, and defensive skills.
His Statistics and Potential
Scott’s minor league statistics show that he has a lot of room for growth. In 2019, he played for the Single-A Clinton LumberKings and put up a .223/.310/.365 slash line with 7 home runs and 43 RBI in 90 games.
In 2021, he played for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos and improved his slash line to .260/.307/.345 with 2 home runs and 24 RBI in 79 games.
Despite his less impressive numbers, Scott has been considered a respectable prospect due to his athleticism and potential. He has been praised for his speed, agility, and solid defensive skills, which could make him a valuable asset for any team.
There is hope that with proper coaching and experience, Scott could develop his hitting skills and become a more well-rounded player.
How He Fits Into the Pirates’ Plans?
The Pirates acquired Scott as part of the trade for Stallings, so it is clear that they see him as a player with potential. At the time of the trade, Scott was ranked as the Marlins’ No.
23 prospect, which suggests that there is a chance he could develop into a valuable player in the future.
Scott is expected to start the 2022 season with Double-A Altoona, where he will likely continue to develop his skills under the guidance of the team’s coaching staff.
The Pirates hope that he will continue to improve his hitting and build on his existing defensive skills, which could make him a long-term contributor to the team.
Overall, the Pirates’ decision to acquire Scott suggests that they are committed to building a strong team for the future. While he may not make an immediate impact, the hope is that with time and experience, Scott will fulfill his potential and become a valuable player for the organization.
Did the Pirates Trade Their Catcher?
The Pittsburgh Pirates made some roster adjustments before their final game against the Washington Nationals.
Tyler Heineman Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
The Pirates traded catcher Tyler Heineman to the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Vinny Capra.
Heineman’s Performance With the Pirates
Heineman played in 8 games for the Pirates this season and had a batting average of .192.
Capra’s Previous Record With Toronto’s Minor League Team
Capra played in 93 games for the Blue Jays’ minor league team, batting .313 with eight home runs.
Impact of the Trade on the Pirates’ Roster
Capra’s addition will increase the team’s infield depth, while Heineman’s absence may affect their catching rotation.
Who Did the Pirates Trade for?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded catcher Tyler Heineman to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for shortstop Vinny Capra. The trade was announced on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Blue Jays Acquire Veteran Catcher
The Blue Jays have acquired the services of Tyler Heineman in a move that will help boost their catching corps. The veteran catcher has appeared in 32 games this season, batting .190 with one home run and six RBI.
Pirates Acquire Minor League Infielder
In exchange for Heineman, the Pirates have received Vinny Capra, a minor league infielder. Capra has spent the majority of his professional career in the lower levels of the Blue Jays organization, but was promoted to Double-A New Hampshire earlier this month.
Capra Adds Organizational Depth
Capra may not be a top prospect, but the Pirates have acquired a solid depth piece in the infield. The 24-year-old has split time between shortstop and second base this season, batting .238 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 60 minor league games.
Maggi Optioned to Double-a
In a corresponding move, the Pirates have optioned shortstop Drew Maggi to Double-A Altoona. Maggi appeared in 13 games this season, going 2-for-14 at the plate.
By optioning Maggi, the Pirates have opened up a roster spot for Capra.
To Recap
In the end, it was confirmed that the Pittsburgh Pirates did indeed trade Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitchers Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas, as well as outfield prospect Connor Scott.
While it may have been a surprising move for some fans, the Pirates likely made the trade with the long-term future of the team in mind. Only time will tell if the trade pays off for both teams involved.
