Position: 1B
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 02/23/2000
College: Rutgers
How Acquired: Draft 16th round, 470th Overall, 2022
Bonus: $100,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Cimillo played three years at Manhattan College, then transferred to Rutgers for his senior year. He hit well starting with his freshman year, when he batted .350. At Rutgers, he had a big year, hitting 385/492/707, with 16 home runs and more walks (39) than strikeouts (36). He’s also hit well, with good power, in summer ball. The caveats would be that he didn’t play in top baseball conferences and big senior seasons should be viewed with a little skepticism. The Pirates drafted Cimillo as a catcher, but he’s seen only a few innings at the position since 2022, none in 2024. Instead, he’s played first and served as DH.
2022-23
In his debut, Cimillo got into four games in the FCL and eight with Bradenton. He threw out 25% of opposing base stealers. In 2023, the Pirates sent him back to Bradenton and he played only sparingly, getting into just 18 games in April and May combined. He hit as well as anybody on the Marauders and the Pirates eventually started playing him more, although still not regularly. He torched the ball in June and July, posting an OPS of .952 overall at the level, with very good plate discipline. The Pirates moved him up to Greensboro for the season’s last two months and he struggled there, managing just a .551 OPS. At both levels, Cimillo served at first base and DH. He caught just one game at Greensboro and one inning at Bradenton.
2024
Opening 2024 back at Greensboro, Cimillo seemingly solved the pitching at that level, hammering out a 293/419/619 line in the season’s first half. That included 17 home runs in just 52 games, along with a good 38:57 BB:K ratio. The Pirates promoted Cimillo to Altoona at mid-season and his numbers weren’t nearly as good. He hit 224/324/367 in 44 games, with just four home runs. His BB:K ratio, though, remained good at 22:32. His Altoona numbers were wrecked by a 2-for-42 drought in August. He rebounded for an .838 OPS in 11 September games. Cimillo didn’t catch at all in 2024, spending most of his time at first and a little at DH.
Stats
Transactions
July 19, 2022: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round, 470th overall pick; signed on July 26.