MLB Rookie Report: Wilfredo Boscan, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted right-handed pitcher Wilfredo Boscan to the major league roster. He's a rookie, this is Minor League Ball, so here's a take on his background and possible future.

Boscan was originally signed by the Texas Rangers out of Venezuela back in 2006. He reached full-season ball with Low-A Hickory in 2009, but struggled on reaching Double-A as a starter in 2011. He switched back and forth between starting and relief roles in 2012 and 2013, eventually adapting to Double-A but struggling again on reaching Triple-A. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in late '12, then signed with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in '14. Another free agent contract brought him to the Pirates in '15, where he stayed following a solid year in Triple-A (3.07, 86/25 K/BB in 126 innings.)

Thus far this year he's made seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 2.48 ERA in 40 innings with a 31/4 K/BB, 39 hits allowed, and a 1.96 GO/AO.

Boscan is listed at 6-2, 175 pounds (but looks thicker than that to me), born October 26, 1989. He was actually called up to the majors three times last year but didn't get into a game; that has changed this time around, Boscan ticketed for the bullpen and seeing action in tonight's game. He works with three average pitches: fastball around 88-90, curveball, change-up. Nothing is truly plus but he throws strikes and has learned to keep hitters off-stride in the upper minors.

Like all finesse pitchers Boscan will need to prove his approach will work in the majors, but he's got nothing left to prove in Triple-A. In the majors he projects as an 11th man on a staff, suitable for relief work or emergency starts.

Here's a clip of him working in winter ball, starting at 2:10.