Nate Webb
Nate Webb
Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/20/1997
High School: Lee’s Summit (MO) North HS
Drafted: 34th round, 1033rd Overall, 2016 (Royals)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $60,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2023
Options Left: 2
Overview
Webb looked like he was going nowhere after Kansas City drafted him out of high school, as he spent four years in rookie-level leagues. After the pandemic season, though, his fastball velocity took a big jump, to 95-97 mph, reaching triple digits. The pitch gets a lot of swings and misses up in the zone. Webb throws it most of the time, but also has a slider that sometimes generates swings and misses, and a change that needs a lot of work. The Royals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2021 season, but dropped him after an injury-plagued 2022 season. The Pirates signed him as a minor league free agent.
2016-20
Webb spent four years struggling at rookie levels, the last three in advanced rookie ball. He went back and forth between starting and relieving. Both his walk and K rates varied a lot, from good to bad. He didn’t play in 2020.
2021-23
In 2021, the Royals moved Webb up to full season ball, which he split between the two class A levels. Pitching strictly in relief, he made great strides, holding opponents on the season to a 189/260/326 line. His 4.41 ERA in high A is misleading as Webb suffered from a very low strand rate; his xFIP was 2.91. The Royals added him to their 40-man roster after the season.
In 2022, Webb missed the first two and a half months due to unknown injuries. Once he returned, he struggled badly. He did pitch well in the Arizona Fall League, although it was just 5.2 IP. The Royals removed him from the 40-man roster after the season and he opted for free agency. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal, but before the 2023 season started the Pirates placed him on the full-season injured list. He’ll be a free agent after the season unless they re-sign him for 2024.
Stats
Transactions
June 11, 2016: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 34th round, 1033rd overall pick; signed on June 15.
November 19, 2021: Contract purchased by the Kansas City Royals.
November 18, 2022: Became a free agent.
November 20, 2022: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.