One of the two pieces the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired from the Washington Nationals in the 2020 Josh Bell trade is no longer with the organization. As per the transaction logs, the Pirates released right-handed pitcher Wil Crowe after three seasons with Pittsburgh.
Crowe, 29, was acquired alongside pitching prospect Eddy Yean in the 2020 Christmas Eve trade that sent Bell to the nation’s capital. He was originally a second round draft pick of the Nationals in the 2017 draft out of the University of South Carolina.
At the time he was acquired, Crowe was a starting pitcher. During the 2021 season, 25 of his 26 appearances came out of the rotation. That season, he pitched to a 5.48 ERA across 116.2 innings.
His struggles prompted the Pirates to move Crowe to the bullpen. In 2022, he totaled 76.0 innings across 60 appearances, all but one of which were in relief. Crowe finished the season 6-10 with a 4.38 ERA and four saves. He struck out 68 batters and walked 38.
Crowe began this past season back in the Pirates’ bullpen, but made only five appearances before a shoulder injury eventually landed him on the 60-day injured list. On July 19, the Pirates designated him for assignment and he spent the remainder of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Wil Crowe expressed a heartfelt thank you for his time with the Pirates on social media.
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As Britt Gihroli of The Athletic reported, former Pirates outfielder Cal Mitchell has signed a minor league deal with the Padres. It’s a homecoming for Mitchell, who is a native of San Diego.
Mitchell was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Pirates — 15 picks before the Nationals took Crowe. The 24-year-old appeared in a combined 71 games with Pittsburgh from 2022-23 and hit .222 with a .626 OPS, five home runs and 17 RBIs.
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