BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pirates announced Wednesday that they have claimed right-hander Adonis Medina off waivers from the Phillies.

A corresponding roster move will be announced on a later date. 

Medina, 25, was rated as a top 5 prospect in the Phillies’ system from 2018-2020, according to Baseball America, including being ranked No. 84 overall in 2018. He entered last season ranked as their No. 12 prospect.

However, he has not had the best results in the upper-levels of the minors. That includes recording a 5.05 ERA over 17 starts for their Class AAA affiliate last season.

However, in his brief showings in the majors over the last two years, he has flashed a fastball that averages about 92-93 mph, a pair of breaking pitches that get a little above average spin and a changeup that he has thrown about as often as his four-seam fastball. 

In five career major-league appearances, he has struck out 10 and allowed five runs over 11 ⅔ innings. He struck out 55 and walked 26 hitters over 67 ⅔ innings in Class AAA in 2021.

While he has been used almost exclusively as a starter in his professional career, three of his four appearances in the majors last year did come out of the bullpen.

With the Pirates, there would seemingly be a better chance of him making the staff as a reliever, though the club does not have many guaranteed options in the rotation either.

He qualifies for a fourth option year, per league source, so he does not necessarily have to make the opening day roster for the Pirates to keep him.

Earlier this week, Blake Cederlind and Nick Mears were placed on the 60-day injured list to accommodate the signings of Heath Hembree and Daniel Vogelbach. The club also claimed another pitcher, lefty Aaron Fletcher off waivers Sunday.

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