Breaking: Pirates to Promote Roansy Contreras to Start on Wednesday

Some breaking news for the Pirates as MLB insider Hector Gomez is reporting that the Pirates will promote right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras to start on Wednesday vs. the Cubs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates call up RHP Roansy Contreras.

He will make his debut tomorrow against Cubs.

This season (AA / AAA):

3-2, 2.64, 58.0 IP, 41 H, 17 ER, 13 BB, 82 SO, WHIP 0.93. pic.twitter.com/5xlHtd0vqZ

— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) September 28, 2021

It’s an aggressive development from Ben Cherington who will promote the 21-year old for a taste of the big leagues after just one start in Triple-A. Acquired in the Jameson Taillon trade from the Yankees, Contreras ranks as the Pirates’ sixth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Contreras has had a dominate season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. In 12 starts with the Curve, Contreras logged a 2.65 ERA in 54.1 innings of work. He allowed 37 hits, issued 12 walks and struck out 76 batters. In his lone start for Indianapolis, Contreras went 3.2 innings, allowed one run on four hits, one walk and six punch outs. He missed about two months of the season with a forearm injury.

The 6’0 right-hander offers a four-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the 95-96 range and has above-average spin rates. He features a changeup that keeps hitters off balance and is regarded as his best off-speed pitch. He also mixes in a curveball and a slider that he has worked on to improve during his time in the Pirates’ organization.

Contreras was originally signed by the Yankees out of the Dominican Republic for $250K during the 2016-2017 international signing period before being acquired by the Pirates along with Miguel Yajure, Canaan Smith-Njigba and Maikol Escotto.

Contreras’ debut will mark one of the most highly-regarded prospect acquisitions during Cheington’s tenure to reach the big leagues. Contreras is widely regarded as the Pirates’ second best pitching prospect behind 2019 first-rounder Quinn Priester.

For the Pirates, they will get a love look at how Contreras fares against Major League hitting as the 2021 season comes to a close.