Pirates Sign RHP Reliever Jorge Julio

Today, the Pirates signed RHP Jorge Julio (Jorge Dandys Julio Tapia), to a minor league contract, with an invite to spring training. Julio, 32 years old by opening day, is a 9 year veteran, in the major league, though, in 2010 he played for the independent Bridgeport Bluefish. He was also played winter ball, in Venezuela, with Tiburones de La Guaira, where he post 1.88 ERA, 22 SO and 12 BB in 28.2 IP. During his 9 year stint in the majors, he appeared with 8 different teams, and finished 3rd for American League Rookie of the Year, in 2001.

Jorge Julio 

Julio's release, in early 2010, was triggered by inconsistency and lack of control. He seems to have gotten the lack of control taken care of, by looks of his winter league stats, but it is not a large enough sample to judge on his inconsistency. The Pirates have said they are looking for more left hand pitching, but if this signing works out, for the better, it could end up being a great deal. If it appears, that he has still problems with inconsistency, the Pirate merely will have added organizational depth, where he would be able to attempt to regain his control. 


Career MLB Stats: 17-34/4.43 ERA/99 SV/233 BB/488 K/1.435 WHIP