Position: RHP
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 222 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/09/2000
Country: Colombia
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2016
Bonus: $150,000
40-Man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2023
Options Left: 3
Overview
Florez received a bonus that was near the top of the limited range that the Pirates normally paid to pitchers on the international front during those years. His size and the fact that he was reportedly already throwing 92 mph at age 16 were undoubtedly enticing. By August 2018, he was reaching 96, and he was throwing 95-97 in 2019. He also throws a change and slider.
2017-20
Florez progressed steadily through the three rookie levels in 2017-19. He performed respectably as a starter in the DSL at age 17, although he walked more than he struck out. In 2018, Florez made ten starts in the GCL. His performance was uneven, with some very good games and some weaker ones. Mediocre control was one consistent pattern. Opponents weren’t able to drive the ball much against him, slugging only .280. In 2019, he spent the season in the Bristol rotation, putting up a 3.46 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He didn’t pitch in 2020.
2021-23
In 2021, Florez split his season evenly between Bradenton and Greensboro, making nine starts at each stop. The similarity, though, ended there. He dominated at Bradenton, with opponents batting only .165. After the promotion, opponents hit almost exactly twice that, at .329. One possible explanation is that he was throwing a great many breaking balls at Bradenton. The pitch was very effective at that level, but evidently didn’t work as well at the higher level. He also wasn’t throwing quite as hard as he had in 2019.
In 2022, Florez returned to Greensboro for the season and pitched in relief apart from four starts. He did not make progress, continuing to struggle with the strike zone. Opponents put up a 280/368/441 line against him. He had a very large reverse platoon split. In 2023, he went back to the Hoppers and pitched solely in relief. He went in the wrong direction, with a 7.08 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.
Florez is eligible for minor league free agency after the 2023 season.
Stats
Transactions
July 2, 2016: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.