Position: RHP
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 12/22/2003
Country: Venezuela
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2021
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed Salazar at the beginning of the 2020-21 signing period. At the time, he was throwing around 90 mph with a sharp curve and a change that needed work. He should have good projection.
2021-24
Pitching in relief, Salazar had a rough debut, worse than his ERA indicates. He couldn’t throw strikes and he got hit a little hard. He returned in 2022 and had a much better season. He ended up with a 6.10 ERA because of an extremely low strand rate of 50.9%. He more than halved his walk rate and nearly doubled his K rate, and his opponents’ average went from .263 to .179.
The Pirates sent Salazar back to the DSL for a third season in 2023. He missed several weeks due to injury, but posted an 0.87 ERA when he pitched. He gave up just nine hits and nine walks in 20.2 IP, with 23 strikeouts. He then missed the entire 2024 season with an injury.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2021: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.