Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/25/1999
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2016
Bonus: $100,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2023
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed Toribio as a potential power arm who’d hit 97 mph, but he’s evolved into a finesse starter. He sits at 91-92 with his four-seam fastball and throws a mid-80s sinker. He also threw a curve and change, but in 2022 replaced the change with a splitter.
2017-20
Toribio pitched as a starter at the rookie levels — DSL and GCL — in 2017-18. He was only 17 in the DSL and struggled initially, but had four outstanding August starts. In 2018 he did the reverse, pitching well in June and July, and struggling in August. In 2019 he split the season between the New York-Penn League and low A. He pitched very well at the former stop, with excellent walk and strikeout rates. He was more erratic at the higher level, but had several outstanding starts, including six no-hit innings in one and seven three-hit innings in his last one. He had a big platoon split, allowing an .819 OPS to left-handed hitters but holding right-handed hitters to a measly .493. He didn’t pitch in 2020.
2021-23
Toribio opened the 2021 season in the Altoona rotation. He made eight starts through the first two months, pitching decently until the last three, when he struggled. He went on the injured list for a month and a half, then made six relief appearances when he returned. Toribio was much more effective in relief, with a 1.84 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. As a starter he had a 5.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 6.1 K/9. In 2022, the Pirates moved Toribio to the bullpen, where he pitched mainly in outings of anywhere from two to five innings. He basically had two different seasons, before and after a late-June promotion from Altoona to Indianapolis. In the before part he was outstanding, with very good numbers in every area. After, it was just the opposite. His walk and K rates, in particular, got dramatically worse.
In 2023, Toribio went back to Altoona for nearly the whole season. He pitched reasonably well, with a 1.32 WHIP and 10.7 K/9, although his control wasn’t great. He made two appearances for Indy at the end of the year. He’ll be a free agent in the fall.
Stats
TRANSACTIONS
July 2, 2016: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.