Pirates reportedly acquire RP Camilo Doval from Yankees for two prospects
The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly acquiring relief pitcher Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees for two prospects, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal is pending a physical for the players involved, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
New York will reportedly be getting back Luis Cruz and Omar Alfonzo, per the New York Post's Joel Sherman. Alfonzo was Pittsburgh's No. 17 prospect, per MLB.com. Cruz was not ranked in the top 30 for the organization.
Doval has made 44 appearances for the Yankees this season. He takes a 3-1 record and a 4.54 ERA with him to Pittsburgh.
Doval is known for a plus fastball and has struck out 39 batters in 39 innings of work this year. This season, the right-handed reliever has been featuring his sinker most often. Doval has leaned on a sinker, cutter and slider as his three main pitches this year, per Baseball Savant.
The reliever does have a changeup, but has thrown it just 23 times this season (3.4%), and it has largely been out of the zone.
Pittsburgh needed a boost to its bullpen at the trade deadline. The Pirates' pen has registered 24 of the team's 56 losses this season, the fifth-most in MLB. Pittsburgh also has the sixth-most blown saves this year.
New York gets back two unproven prospects. Cruz is 18 years old and can play all three outfield positions. Alfonzo, 22, has split time between being a catcher and a first baseman.
Cruz has only made it to the rookie fall league with Pittsburgh's Black and Gold teams the last two seasons. So far this year, he has played in 17 games and is slashing .313/.460/.396 with seven RBI.
Alfonzo has been on the rise through the Pirates' minor league system this year. He started out in rookie ball, but also played a game in Single-A before spending the majority of the year in Double-A.
The catcher/first baseman has played in 60 games at the Double-A level and is slashing .238/.337/.419 with nine home runs and 35 RBI. He will turn 23 in August.
