Montana DuRapau Is More Than A Name

PITTSBURGH—When the Pirates selected Montana DuRapau from Bethune-Cookman in the 2014 draft, the only thing that stood out about the righthander seemed to be his unique name.

Now, despite being selected in the 32nd round, DuRapau is making a name for himself.

The 24-year-old collected 22 saves this season to help Double-A Altoona reach the Eastern League playoffs. He went 3-3, 3.63 while striking out 51 in 49.1 innings and allowing 43 hits and 19 walks.

In all, he has compiled a 2.27 career ERA in 182.1 innings through his first three pro seasons.

The Pirates challenged DuRapau further when they assigned him to the Arizona Fall League.

“I’m just going to go there and test myself because this is another opportunity to see how good I can be,” DuRapau said. “I definitely have things I need to work on, which I will try to work out, but overall, I just want to perform and see what I’m made of.”

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound DuRapau doesn’t overpower hitters. His fastball tops out at 94 mph. However, he has retained a four-pitch mix from his days as a college starter—he went 11-1, 1.61 as a senior—and has outstanding cutting action on his fastball.

DuRapau also wins high marks for his mound presence.

“He definitely pitches with an edge,” Altoona pitching coach Justin Meccage said. “With the physical attributes he brings to the table, being a little undersized, he pitches like he’s 6-foot-5 and not 5-foot-11.

“He’s out there with an air about him that you just know he’s going to get it done. He makes you feel that way in our dugout.”

PITTBURGERS

• Altoona catcher Jin-De Jhang and third baseman Eric Wood and Triple-A Indianapolis righthander Edgar Santana also participated in the AFL. Righthanders Dovydas Neverauskas and Trevor Williams were on the original roster, along with outfielder Austin Meadows, but the Pirates decided not to send them.

• Lefthander Jake Brentz and righthander Pedro Vasquez were acquired from the Mariners as the players to be named in the trade that send righthander Arquimedes Caminero to the Mariners on Aug. 6. Both spent the majority of the season at low Class A Clinton.