Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/19/1998
High School: Tracy HS (CA)
How Acquired: Draft 6th Round, 178th Overall, 2017
Bonus: $300,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 2
Overview
The Pirates drafted Bolton as a projectable high school pitcher from California. His fastball at the time of the draft sat at 91-93 MPH, touching 94, and he throws from a three-quarters arm slot. MLB Pipeline noted that he threw a tight slider and had a feel for a changeup, giving him a solid three-pitch mix already when drafted. Baseball America considered his slider to be an above average offering. By 2019, Bolton was throwing 93-96, reaching 97; he also throws a slider and change. Bolton had a commitment to the University of Michigan and BA thought he’d be a tough sign, but the Pirates signed him two weeks after the draft for only a modest amount above the slot value. BA ranked him 414th overall among their top 500 draft talents.
2017-19
Bolton put up good numbers in his GCL debut, making nine starts with 1 3.16 ERA. Surprisingly, for a prep pitching draftee, the Pirates sent Bolton straight to low A in 2018, keeping him in extended spring training until late May to keep his workload down. He started nine games before being shut down in mid-July with forearm soreness. The Pirates described the issue as minor at the time, but he didn’t return and ended up having a PRP injection. Bolton pitched very well, not giving up a run until his fourth start. He had strong numbers across the board, except for a minor issue with gopher balls, as he allowed six.
In 2019, Bolton moved up to Bradenton and took another big step forward. He dominated the Florida State League through a dozen starts, when the Pirates promoted him to Altoona. He had a lot more trouble in the Eastern League, although he pitched better than his 5.85 ERA; his xFIP was 4.02. Bolton was hurt by a very low strand rate in AA of 60.5%, although he also had some gopher ball problems. He allowed one HR better than every seven innings in AA after giving up just one total in the FSL. The Pirates shut Bolton down in mid-August.
2020-21
Bolton produced mixed reviews in the alternate camp at Altoona in 2020 and, according to some reports, his velocity was down. In 2021, he suffered a knee injury and ultimately needed surgery, costing him the entire season.
2022-23
Bolton had a good 2022 season with Indianapolis. He alternated between starting and relieving, making 14 starts and 16 relief appearances. There wasn’t a lot of distinction between the two, as Bolton seldom worked more than three innings in a start. He went four on three occasions and five once. He finished with just 7.2 IP more as a starter. For the year, Bolton held opponents to a 207/316/307 line. When he had trouble, it often stemmed from walks. Bolton missed most of July with an injury, but otherwise stayed healthy.
The Pirates left Bolton off the 40-man roster in fall 2022, but a little surprisingly he didn’t get selected in the Rule 5 draft. He pitched well for Indianapolis early in the season and got called up in late April. In fact, he ultimately got called up seven separate times, pitching in 34 games for Indianapolis and 16 for the Pirates. Bolton’s time in the majors didn’t go well, as he got hit hard and also had trouble throwing strikes. In the majors he had a 6.33 ERA and 2.11 WHIP. He pitched reasonably well for Indy, although not quite as well as 2022. His walk and K rates in AAA were good — 3.5 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round, 178th overall pick; signed on June 27.
April 26, 2023: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates.