Pirates acquire pitcher Pat Light from Twins

Yesterday the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-hander Pat Light from the Minnesota Twins. Light had been designated for assignment a few days ago when the Twins claimed infielder Ehire Adrianza. In exchange the Twins will receive either a cash payment or a player to be named later.

Here’s the scoop on Light.

Pat Light, RHP: Light was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the compensation round of the 2012 draft from Monmouth. Initially a starting pitcher, he had problems in that role and converted to the bullpen in 2015 with better results. He reached the major leagues with the Red Sox last spring but didn’t last long and was traded to the Twins in August for Fernando Abad. He threw 16.2 major league innings between Boston and Minnesota last summer, posting an 11.34 ERA with a 16/16 K/BB ratio. He gave up 22 hits but also posted a 2.60 GO/AO.

Light is a 6-5, 225 pound right-hander age 25. He throws quite hard, with a fastball up to 97 MPH, a slider that touches 90, and a splitter in the mid-to-upper-80s. When his command is on he is tough to square up and he’s proven he can dominate Triple-A, but erratic control undid him during his major league trial. With a fresh start in a new system he could emerge as a useful bullpen component if the control improves, certainly worth a flier for the Pirates.