It may seem long overdue, but the Brandon Inge era is over now in Pittsburgh. Inge, who signed a one year, $1.25 million contract in the offseason, had a very forgettable season for the Pirates this year, with a .181/.204/.238 line, along with one home run in 104 at bats. Those numbers produced a .442 OPS, 25 OPS+, and -0.6 WAR according to Baseball-Reference. With that WAR, Inge was tied with Michael McKenry for the title of least valuable player on the Pirates for the 2013 season. Inge played five different positions for the Pirates, including every infield position and right field. Since he was designated for assignment, the Pirates have ten days to trade, release, or pass Inge through waivers. Judging by the way he has played this year, I would assume that he will be released, as there will be no takers for his services.
With Inge being DFA'd and Jason Grilli being sent to the DL today, the Pirates had two open roster spots. Those spots were taken by second baseman Neil Walker and AAA Indianapolis Indians' closing pitcher, Vic Black.
Walker is in the middle of what seems to be a down year offensively, but he hasn't had much of chance to get on track this year, with multiple stints on the DL keeping him from getting long stretches of at bats. He has a line of .244/.347/.284 in 250 at bats, including six home runs, 26 RBI, and a .731 OPS. He will step back into his spot as the everyday second baseman, with Jordy Mercer moving back to shortstop.
Black was the closer for the Pirates AAA affiliate in Indianapolis this season, putting up a 2.31 ERA in 35 IP, including 15 saves. He has a great K/9 rate, at 13.1, and has shown improved control this year. Control was his main issue coming into the season, with a career 4.7 BB/9 coming into the season, but his 3.3 BB/9 rate this year show his continuing development.
This is what I said about Black in my 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Preview:
19) Victor Black--RHP--25--AAA
Black was drafted in the supplemental first round of the 2009 draft, but didn't live up to his hype until last season. In 2012, he posted a 1.65 ERA in 60 IP, with a 12.8 K/9 and 1.15 WHIP. Control has been a problem in his career, and that continued in 2012, with a 4.4 BB/9. Black has a plus fastball that sits 96-98 MPH, touching 99, and pairs that with a plus slider. If he can improve his control a little, he could be a future option for closer with the Pirates, and that future may not be far away.
Well, the future is now with Victor Black, in a sense that he is now part of the major league bullpen. He has reached triple digits with his fastball this season, and pairs that with his wipeout slider to make a great two pitch combo. Black could be one of the top closing options in the coming years when Grilli/Melancon are gone, or begin to struggle.
Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45, or in the comment section below.
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