Position: LHP
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 04/22/1999
College: West Virginia University
Drafted: Drafted 4th round, 129th Overall, 2021 (Padres)
How Acquired: Trade (with Estuar Suero and Alfonso Rivas to Padres for Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi)
Bonus: $300,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2024
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 2
Overview
Wolf got off to a fast start in his junior season at West Virginia, but the pandemic intervened and he wasn’t selected in the five-round draft. The Padres took him in the fourth round in 2021 after he had a very good senior year. His fastball averages only 89 mph, and he throws a very slow (75 mph) slider and a low-80s change. Despite the fringy stuff, scouts like him because, with his 6’7” frame, he gets a lot of extension and downward break, leading to a lot of swings and misses. He also has good command The Pirates acquired him with two other players at the 2023 deadline for Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi.
2021-23
After a brief debut in 2021, Wolf put up solid but not great numbers as a starter in high class A in 2022. He had good walk and K rates, but had some trouble with gopher balls. He made a nearly identical showing in AA in 2023, still as a starter. The Padres added him to their 40-man roster in July and brought him up for one spot start, then sent him back to AA. At the deadline, the Padres sent him to the Pirates. He made eight starts for Altoona, with a 4.25 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His K rate was lower than his norm, at 7.5 per nine innings, but it was only in 36 innings.
The Pirates designated Wolf for assignment at the end of spring training 2024 to clear roster space.
Stats
Transactions
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 4th round, 129th overall pick; signed July 19.
July 22, 2023: Contract purchased by the San Diego Padres.
August 1, 2023: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Estuar Suero and Alfonso Rivas to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi.
March 28, 2024: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.