Position: RHP
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 193 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 10/24/2005
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2023
Bonus: $750,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2029
Options Left: 3
Overview
Pichardo was one of four international signees to whom the Pirates paid between $750,000 and $840,000 in January 2023. Unusually for them, three of the four were pitchers. Pichardo was 6’3″ when he signed, but grew to 6’6″ afterward. He has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes and has a chance to move upward as a starter. His fastball reaches as high as 94 mph now and he has good projection. He also throws a slider and change.
2023-24
Pichardo’s debut went reasonably well except for control problems. Opponents batted only .168 against him, but he walked 7.1 per nine innings. He struck out 7.7. In 2024 he went back to the DSL and improved his control, walking 4.6 per nine innings. He got hit harder, though, with his opponents’ average going from .168 in 2023 to .250. His ERA went from 3.67 to 4.31.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2023: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.