Zander Mueth
Zander Mueth
Position: RHP
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 06/22/2005
High School: Belleville (IL) HS East
How Acquired: Drafted 2nd supplemental round, 67th Overall, 2023
Bonus: $1,797,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2029
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates’ lone prep pitching draftee in 2023, Mueth is a tall righthander who throws from a low three-quarters arm slot. His fastball sits at 92-95 mph, although he throws harder early in starts, reaching 97. He has good arm-side run, which means the pitch breaks in the opposite direction from his slider. The latter has a great deal of glove-side movement. His change has potential as well. Mueth was young for the draft class, as he didn’t turn 18 until shortly after he was picked, and he offers significant projection. His command needs to improve, leading some observers to see some risk he ends up in relief. Baseball America ranked Mueth 56th among draft prospects, MLB Pipeline 83rd. He signed for well above the slot value of $1.13M.
2023-24
As is always the case with prep pitchers the Pirates draft, Mueth didn’t pitch in his draft year. Mueth debuted as a starter in the FCL in 2024. He had control issues early, walking 13 in his first 17.2 IP. Then he got on a run of six straight starts in which he went exactly five innings, allowing just two runs total, along with 20 hits and nine walks in the 30 innings. He fanned 33. The Pirates moved Mueth up to Bradenton at the end of July and he made seven starts there. Control became a much bigger issue, with high pitch counts limiting him to 22.2 IP, just over three innings per start. He gave up just eight hits and struck out 23, but he walked 24.
Stats
Transactions
July 9, 2023: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd supplemental round, 67th overall pick; signed on July 20.