Pirates Add Nate Webb Following Strong AFL Showing

The Pittsburgh Pirates are adding one of the top pitching performers in this year’s Arizona Fall League.

Right-hander Nate Webb has agreed to a minor league contract and will report to the Pirates’ major league spring training camp in February. The 25-year-old right-hander became a free agent last week after being designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals.

Webb made six relief appearances for Surprise in the AFL and allowed only one unearned run in 5.2 innings. That came after a dreadful regular season in which he was 2-3 with one save and a 9.99 ERA in 27 games (one start) at three levels of the Royals’ farm system.

The Royals drafted Webb in the 34^th round in 2016 following his high school graduation in Lee’s Summit, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City. He compiled a 15-17 record, six saves and a 6.11 ERA in 110 games (26 starts) over six minor league seasons.

Subscribe to Pittsburgh Baseball Now Plus here and not only get full Pirates’ coverage but the Steelers and Penguins, too.