PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates named the Minor League pitcher and player of the year. It's a pair who played most of their year in A ball.
Bob Friend Pitcher-of-the Year
Adrian Florencio (23, 6'6", 205-pounds, RHP, Dominican Republic)
-Low A Southeast League Pitcher-of-the-Year
-led all Pirates minor leaguers with 117 strikeouts
-6-4, 2.46 ERA, 19 starts, 95-IP, 30-BB, 1.05 WHIP, 11.08 strikeouts/9 innings, .198 avg. against
"To see the consistency he had all year," said Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. "Huge credit to him and our Latin American development staff, particularly in the Dominican Republic. They did a terrific job staying in touch with guys (even with COVID restrictions)."
"That doesn't happen because in February and March you decide to have a good year. You have to be doing work for months before that. He did that, it's a credit to him. It's fun to watch, especially as someone, that frankly, I didn't know much about 12 months ago."
Honus Wagner Player-of-the-Year
Matt Fraizer (23, 6'3", 217-pounds, Left-hand hitting OF, 2019 3rd round pick)
-High-A East League MVP//Baseball America Pirates Player-of-the-Year
-led all Pirates minor leaguers with at least 350 plate appearances in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, runs scored
-.306, 133-H,26-2B, 6-3B, 23-HR, 68-RBI, 56-BB, 15-SB, .388 OBP, .522 SL, .939 OPS
-played 75 games for High-A Greensboro and 37 for AA Altoona
"A great credit to Matt," Cherington said. "His mindset about who he wants to be as a player, getting better every day. So laser focused and consistent. Responded and embraced changes in hitting training."
Cherington said one of his scouts told him in February to watch out for this guy. He said Fraizer plays with an intensity on every pitch and never gives in on anything. Likely starts in AA with an outside shot of playing his way to Pittsburgh next season.
We Want Yoshi
Cherington said he's had talked with free agent first baseman/outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo about signing with the Pirates next season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old left-hand hitter played in 43 games with the Pirates after signing following his release by the Dodgers. Tsutsugo hit .268 with eight doubles, eight homers and 25 RBI with a .347 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage.
Tsutsugo is currently in Japan as Cherington said the sides will continue dialogue.
Asked if they will be able to strike a deal.
"We'll see," Cherington said.
Cherington said they are also open to signing a few of the current players to contract extensions. He called it 'open dialogue' that could turn into something over time. He said usually you share information and it allows both sides to have more clarity as to what each side is thinking.
Hayes Update
Weeks after the Pirates season ended, Cherington reaffirmed 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes will not need hand or wrist surgery this off-season. His program starts with rest and therapy and the hope is for Hayes to begin a strengthening and swinging program closer to the holidays.
"He's on track," Cherington said. "We don't expect this to impact his off-season at all. I spoke with him last week and he felt good about the information he had. Feels good about his offseason. Confident with where he is."
