Pirates Pitching Prospect Starts Rehab Assignment

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect returned to the mound for the first time in two months.

Pirates left-handed pitching prospect Anthony Solometo started his rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on June 18.

Solometo strugged in his first appearance back with Bradenton, allowing two hits, a walk, three runs and two earned runs in just 0.2 innings pitched.

He last pitched for Double-A Altoona on April 12, marking his first start in two months. He allowed just one earned run over 10 innings pitched in two starts this season, before going on the injured list and then transferring to the 60-day injured list on May 7 with a left shoulder injury.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk spoke about Solometo in his injury report on June 11, saying that Solometo was throwing again and progressing towards a live game appearance.

Solometo hails from Voorhees Township, N.J., 20 miles south east of Philadelphia. He originally played for Glouchester Catholic High School in in Glouchester City, N.J., committing to North Carolina prior to his freshman season and dominating as a sophomore in 2019 with a 5-2 record, a 1.59 ERA over 44 innings and 64 strikeouts.

He would transfer to Bishop Eustace Prepartory School in Pennsauken Township, N.J. before his junior year. He had a sensational senior season in 2021, with a 0.22 ERA over 32.1 innings pitched, while posting 65 strikeouts.

The Pirates selected Solometo with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Solometo would forgo his commitment to UNC and signed for $2.8 million with the Pirates.

He pitched with Bradenton in 2022, starting eight of 13 games, posting a 5-1 record, a 2.64 ERA over 47.2 innings pitched, 51 strikeouts to 19 walks, a 1.05 WHIP and a .188 opposing batting average.

Solometo earned his promotion to High-A Greensboro to start 2023, where he started 12 games, posting a 2-3 record over 58.2 innings pitched, 68 strikeouts to 25 walks, a 1.16 WHIP and an opposing batting average of .207.

He earned promotion to Altoona on June 15 and started 12 games, with a 2-4 record, a 4.35 ERA over 51.2 innings pitched, 50 strikeouts to 14 walks, a .247 opposing batting average and a 1.22 WHIP.

Solometo struggled with Altoona in 2024, with a 1-7 record in 17 starts and 20 appearances, a 5.98 ERA over 58.2 innings pitched, 46 strikeouts to 35 walks and a .269 opposing batting average.

He spent time on the developmental list and went back down to both Bradenton and the Florida Complex League Pirates, trying to get back to form.

Solometo ranks No. 14 amongst the top 30 Pirates prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. and the second highest left-handed pitcher behind Hunter Barco, who just earned promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis.