R.J. Freure

A hard-throwing righthanded reliever at Pittsburgh, Freure throws a plus fastball in the 92-95 mph range and can spin a powerful, downer curveball that's also a plus pitch--giving him the raw stuff necessary to be a shutdown reliever. He struck out a ludicrous 95 batters in 58.2 innings (14.57 K/9) this spring, with all but one appearance coming out of the bullpen. The question mark with Freure surrounds his ability to throw enough strikes to have success at the next level. Scouts label him with 30-grade command and his walk rate backs that up, with 35 free passes issued through 58.2 innings (5.37 BB/9) this season. A native of Burlington, Ont., Freure was a member of Team Canada's 18U junior national team in high school.