The Pirates have claimed infielder Niko Goodrum off waivers from the Angels, per bulletins from each golf equipment. The Pirates optioned Goodrum to Triple-A Indianapolis. To open a 40-man spot, right-hander Ben Heller was designated for task. There wasn’t any earlier indication that Goodrum had been faraway from the Angels’ roster, so their 40-man rely will drop to 39.
Goodrum was solely with the Angels a short while. He was claimed off waivers from the Rays a few month in the past and solely bought into 4 video games with the large league membership, as they stored him on non-obligatory task for essentially the most half. In his 15 large league plate appearances, he drew two walks however didn’t get a success and struck out 4 instances. In Triple-A Salt Lake, he hit a tepid .200/.333/.200 in 30 plate appearances.
Now 32, Goodrum was as soon as a stable common for the Tigers. He slashed .247/.318/.427 over 2018 and 2019 for a 98 wRC+, indicating he was simply barely under common on the plate for that point. He additionally stole 24 bases in that stretch whereas bouncing round to all seven positions outdoors of the battery.
However issues have been a battle since then, as he’s slashed .190/.267/.321 in 582 main league plate appearances over the previous few years. There have been some encouraging indicators pointing in the direction of a little bit of a bounceback currently, although Goodrum hasn’t been capable of keep them. He .280/.448/.440 for Boston’s Triple-A membership after which hit .295/.373/.387 within the KBO final yr, resulting in a minor league cope with the Twins for 2024. He was acquired by the Rays simply earlier than Opening Day and didn’t carry out within the majors however hit .316/.422/.605 in Triple-A Durham earlier than the Angels claimed him and his efficiency dipped once more.
It’s been fairly the up-and-down stretch for Goodrum however the Bucs evidently are intrigued sufficient to provide him a roster spot and produce him aboard for some additional depth. At the same time as he has struggled extra typically, he has drawn walks right here and there. He has a 14.7% stroll price within the minors this yr and had a 23.1% price with Worcester final yr earlier than going to Korea, then strolling in 11.4% of his plate appearances over there.
The Pirates have a number of place gamers struggling this yr, with guys like Jack Suwinski, Rowdy Tellez, Edward Olivares, Jared Triolo and Michael A. Taylor having posted pretty lackluster numbers. Since Goodrum can transfer throughout the diamond, he could possibly be a viable substitute if the Bucs determine to make any sort of transfer with anybody in that group or if somebody hits the injured record. He additionally has lower than 5 years of service time and could possibly be stored round for subsequent yr by way of arbitration, the Bucs are so inclined.
Heller, 32, signed a minor league cope with the Pirates within the offseason. He posted a 4.91 earned run common and 10.1% stroll price in Triple-A earlier than being chosen to the large league roster final week, although his 43% strikeout price was definitely engaging. He tossed two innings for the Pirates previously week however allowed an eye-popping 11 earned runs.
The Pirates could have per week to commerce Heller or cross him by means of waivers. His profession numbers are naturally a lot better than the 49.50 ERA he presently has within the 2024 season. In 52 frames going again to his 2016 debut, he has a 4.85 ERA, although he missed a lot of the 2018 to 2022 seasons on account of accidents. The most important league outcomes have clearly been poor this yr however it was simply two outings after he struck out a bunch of men in Triple-A. If any membership had been to assert him, Heller is out of choices however lower than 4 years of service time.
