Position: RHP
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/09/2000
Country: Dominican Republic
Signed: International Free Agent, 2019 (A’s)
How Acquired: Minor League Rule 5 Draft, 2024 (from A’s)
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2026
Options Left: 3
Overview
De La Rosa is a very tall pitcher whose fastball sits at 95-97 mph. He also relies on a slider. He misses a lot of bats, but wildness has been a significant problem. He also hasn’t been on the field a great deal, missing two complete seasons since he signed and the majority of another. He’s totaled only 68.1 IP over five seasons. The Pirates took De La Rosa from Oakland in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
2020-22
The A’s signed De La Rosa late in 2019, so he missed the 2020 season. He pitched in the DSL in 2021 and struggled, with a 1.93 WHIP and 6.8 BB/9. He did strike out just over a batter an inning. He was assigned again to the DSL in 2022 but didn’t pitch at all. Whether that was for development or injury reasons isn’t clear.
2023-24
In 2023, De La Rosa made three June appearances in rookie ball and then the A’s moved him up to the low A California League. He did better than you might expect, given the lack of experience and the high-offense nature of the league. He walked 5.2 per nine innings and fanned ten, and had a respectable 1.36 WHIP. He went back to that level in 2024 and had some good games and bad. Through the end of May, he had a 6.6 BB/9, 13.5 K/9 and 1.73 WHIP. At that point he went on the injured list and did not return.
Stats
Transactions
September 6, 2019: Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an international free agent.
December 11, 2024: Selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the Oakland Athletics by the Pittsburgh Pirates.