Position: RHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 175 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 10/03/2002
Country: Venezuela
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2019
Bonus: $450,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2023
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
Alcala signed for a relatively large bonus in 2019, but wasn’t able to pitch in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic and then injuries. At the time he signed, he was reaching as high as 93 mph with his fastball, and also throws a curve and change.
2020-24
After missing 2020-21, Alcala was in extended spring training in 2022, but the Pirates sent him to the DSL rather than the FCL. He pitched very well in eight starts, with a 2.88 ERA and good peripheral numbers. Opponents hit just 190/277/240 against him. Alcala finished strongly; in three August starts, he gave up just a .379 OPS.
In 2023, Alcala pitched in relief in the FCL. He got off to a bad start, allowing eight earned runs in his first 7.2 IP. After that, his ERA was 2.52. For the season, he had an 0.92 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, and 9.4 K/9. In 2024, though, Alcala missed the full season due to injury.
Stats
Transactions
July 2, 2019: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.