Position: RHP
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 07/13/2004
Country: Australia
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2022
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2029
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed Grounds out of Australia in mid-2022. He’s a converted catcher who was already reaching the low-90s when he signed and throws harder now. Grounds has a promising breaking ball and is starting to work on a change.
2022-24
Grounds was still finishing high school when he signed. The Pirates assigned him to an 18-and-under international team and he didn’t pitch in affiliated ball in 2022. In 2023, he pitched in relief in the FCL. His control wasn’t good, as he walked 12 in 15.1 IP, but he allowed only 11 hits and struck out 16.
Unfortunately, in 2024 Grounds went on the injured list in March and missed the entire season.
Stats
Transactions
July 8, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.