Alessandro Ercolani
Alessandro Ercolani
Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 04/20/2004
Country: San Marino
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2021
Bonus: N/A
40-Man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed Ercolani during spring training of 2021. He comes from San Marino, a country of just a little over 30,000 people. He’s had success playing in Italy and for the Italian national under-15 team. The Pirates were interested in him for a couple years but had to wait until he was old enough to sign. He appears to have gotten at least a moderate bonus, but the amount isn’t known. Ercolani threw 86-91 mph when he signed, but since then he’s gotten up as high as 97. He also has a slider or cutter that’s potentially a very good pitch. Developing a third pitch will be a need going forward. Control has been an issue, but he’s gradually making progress with it.
2021-23
Ercolani made ten relief appearances in the FCL in 2021. He was outstanding at first, giving up just two earned runs and fanning 14 in his first 12 innings. He allowed nine earned runs over his last six and a third innings. In 2022, maybe a little surprisingly, the Pirates put Ercolani in the FCL rotation. He had an excellent season, holding opponents to a .185 average and allowing only four extra-base hits, all doubles. He missed a lot of bats (11.6 K/9), but did have trouble with walks (5.9 BB/9). Ercolani finished the season with a dozen shutout innings, including 17 strikeouts.
In 2023, Ercolani pitched mainly in the Bradenton rotation. (With the Pirates these days, minor league “starters” often work as bulk relievers some days.) He got off to a bad start, with opponents putting up a .930 OPS against him in April and .890 in May. He had a strong month in June, allowing just a .565 opponents’ OPS and sharply improved control. He continued pitching well into July, but had a couple weak outings at the end of the month and the Pirates put him on the injured list. He didn’t return. Considering that Ercolani came from Europe and turned 19 early in the season, it was a good showing.
2024
Ercolani spent the 2024 season in a swing role with Greensboro. He started nine games and relieved in 15, but either way he usually threw about 3-4 innings. Ercolani had a very bad month in May, allowing 17 of his season’s total of 28 earned runs. The rest of the year he pitched very well. Overall, opponents managed just a .599 OPS despite the one bad month. His control improved significantly, as he walked just 2.9 per nine innings while striking out 10.9. Left-handed hitters weren’t a problem, as Ercolani had a small reverse platoon split.
Stats
Transactions
March 24, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.