Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/05/1994
College: Dartmouth College
Drafted: 10th round, 298th Overall, 2017
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $5,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 2
Overview
The Pirates originally drafted Sulser as a college senior in the tenth round in 2017. He pitched in the majors for both them and the Orioles in 2022, and since then has been in and out of organized ball as a depth option, usually with the Pirates. He’ll have his fourth stint with them in 2024. He throws his fastball a little over 90 mph, and also throws a cutter, change and knuckle curve. The cutter is probably his best pitch. His best asset is good control, as he doesn’t miss a lot of bats.
2017-20
Sulser went to the Pirates’ affiliate in the now-defunct New York-Penn League after being drafted and struggled in a swing role, with a 5.31 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. In 2018 he pitched strictly in relief in Low Class A. He was much more effective, with a 2.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and an outstanding 63:4 K:BB ratio.
In 2019, the Pirates jumped Sulser up to AA and he pitched very well there, in long relief along with six starts. He had a 2.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, although he also had a very low 5.9 K/9. In the pandemic season, Sulser made five starts in the Australian Baseball League.
2021-22
Sulser spent the 2021 season in the Indianapolis rotation and got hit hard, including 21 home runs in 122.2 IP. Opponents had a 299/368/498 line against him. The Pirates sent him back there in 2022 and he pitched much better through three starts. They called him up in late April and he made four not very effective relief appearances for them. After three weeks the Pirates put him on waivers and the Orioles claimed him. Sulser spent the rest of the season riding the shuttle between Baltimore and their AAA affiliate, mostly the latter. He continued to be pretty hittable, with opponents batting .303 against him in AAA and .320 with the Orioles.
After the 2022 season, the Orioles put Sulser on waivers and the Pirates claimed him, only to outright him to AAA several weeks later. After another two weeks they released him and he signed to play in Korea.
2023-24
Sulser made nine starts in Korea in 2023 and got hit hard, posting a 5.62 ERA. At the end of June, he signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. Sulser spent time with both Altoona and Indianapolis, mainly as a starter. He had a 3.86 ERA in AA and 7.36 in AAA. He became a free agent after the season.
Sulser didn’t sign with anybody until Toronto picked him up on a minor league deal in late May. He pitched as a swing man for their AAA affiliate and got hit hard, giving up 13 home runs in 47.2 IP. The Jays released him in early August and the Pirates signed him to a minor league deal nine days later.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round, 298th overall pick; signed June 20.
April 24, 2022: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May 14, 2022: Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Baltimore Orioles.
October 18, 2022: Claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
November 10, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
November 23, 2022: Released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
June 29, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
May 24, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays.
August 6, 2024: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays.
August 15, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.