Position: RHP
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 09/20/1999
College: Duke University
How Acquired: Draft 11th Round, 313th Overall, 2021
Bonus: $125,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2024
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
Carey was a regular starter for Duke as a junior after pitching in relief as a freshman. His sophomore season, of course, was largely eliminated by the pandemic. His numbers as a junior weren’t impressive: a 5.24 ERA, 25 walks and 69 strikeouts in 68.2 IP. He gained ground by pitching better late in the year, but remained erratic. He throws 93-94 mph, with a slider as probably his best secondary pitch. He also throws a curve, cutter and change. Baseball America ranked him 237th among draft prospects.
2021-23
After signing, Carey pitched in one game near the end of the FCL season, then got into three games at Greensboro when a number of the pitchers there went on the COVID IL. He had a rough time in his first game there and pitched well in the others.
In 2022, the Pirates sent Carey back to Greensboro and he pitched in relief, apart from four starts. None of it went well. Opponents put up an .803 OPS against him and he was especially bad in the season’s second half. He finished with an ERA of 5.75 and WHIP of 1.61. Left-handed hitters were a big problem, torching Carey for a 1.028 OPS.
Carey spent most of 2023 at Greensboro. He made progress from the previous year, putting up a 4.06 ERA, mostly in relief. He kept the gopher balls down to four in 50.2 IP, which is very good considering the ballpark. He still had a big platoon split, but got left-handed hitters down to an .831 OPS.
2024
Carey started the 2024 season with Greensboro, but made just five appearances there before moving up to Altoona for good. He had a solid ERA there of 3.75, but the other numbers weren’t as good. He had a 1.49 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9. His xFIP was 5.11. Carey pitched mainly in multi-inning relief, totaling 50.1 IP in 30 games with the Curve, but he did have eight saves.
Stats
Transactions
July 13, 2021: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round, 313th overall pick; signed on July 20.