Solometo (illness) returned to the mound April 7 after missing portions of spring training due to an illness.
Solometo was forced to miss the Spring Breakout game due to a serious case of the flu that made its way through the Pirates' clubhouse. However, he was able to return to throw four scoreless innings while allowing one hit with Double-A Altoona on April 7 -- though he did walk three. Solometo is one of the better prospects in Pittsburgh's minor-league system, and there's a chance he could make it to the big-league roster toward the end of the 2024 campaign.
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Pirates' Anthony Solometo: Not available for Spring Breakout
Rotowire
Solometo is recovering from a case of the flu and won't be available to pitch Thursday in the Pirates' Spring Breakout game against the Orioles, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Solometo will miss out on the opportunity to test himself against a group of the Orioles' elite hitting prospects after coming down with the illness earlier this week. The 21-year-old lefty was able to complete a side session Wednesday, so he shouldn't be too far away from returning to game action in minor-league spring training contests. Solometo is likely to open the 2024 campaign at Double-A Altoona, where he finished the 2023 season and with whom he posted a 4.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB across 51.2 innings.
Pirates' Anthony Solometo: Moved to development list
Rotowire
Solometo was placed on the development list Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
A second-round pick by the Pirates in 2021, Solometo has impressed during his time in professional ball. He had a sub-3.00 ERA at each of his first three stops and has posted a 3.48 ERA and 36:7 K:BB over 33.2 innings as a 20-year-old at Double-A Altoona. Chances are, this is just a way to manage his workload -- he's already at 92.1 innings for the season after throwing just 47.2 frames last year.
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Pirates' Anthony Solometo: Strong first start at Double-A
Rotowire
Solometo struck out seven batters and allowed two earned runs in five innings in his first start for Double-A Altoona.
The low-slot southpaw carved up High-A hitters to the tune of a 2.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 58.2 innings through 12 starts before earning the promotion to Double-A. The 6-foot-5 Solometo has one of the most deceptive arm actions in the minors, somewhat reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner's delivery, and it's possible he could still add a tick to his low-90s fastball in the coming years.
Pirates' Anthony Solometo: Decent results in Single-A
Rotowire
Solometo has a 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB across 29.1 innings so far for Single-A Bradenton this year.
He's appeared in nine games, starting five of them. A second-round pick by the Pirates last year, Solometo's big frame (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) and left-handedness offer intriguing long-term upside, but he has a long way to go in his development. He's off to a promising start, which may be enough to snatch him up in deeper dynasty formats.
