Olivo Astacio
| IP | 133 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.263 |
| WHIP | 1.586 |
| BB/9 | 5.549 |
| SO/9 | 8.865 |
- Full name Olivo Astacio
- Born 07/28/1984 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Pirates signed Astacio off the scrap heap in March 2006, after he had been released by the Cubs two months earlier. Chicago had acquired him from the Red Sox for Mike Remlinger in 2005, when he missed the entire season for violating a team rule. Now that he's healthy again, Astacio is a prototypical power reliever with a large frame, a live fastball and a big breaking pitch. He can routinely dial his fastball up to 96 mph and it has decent movement. His curveball is an out pitch, a hammer that falls off the table. His changeup is also serviceable, though he doesn't need it much working in short relief. Astacio's biggest problem is control, as he has averaged 5.4 walks per nine innings as a pro. He also lacks experience against quality hitters, as he didn't pitch in a full-season league until 2007 and made just one appearance in Double-A before falling in the shower and breaking his pitching hand. Added to the 40-man roster in November, Astacio will return to Double-A in 2008 and could see his first major league action later in the year if he throws more strikes.
