The Pirates have requested release waivers on pitcher Rick VandenHurk to allow the right-hander to sign for a foreign team, possibly the Samsung Lions in Korea. This will clear a spot on the 40-man roster, meaning that no further moves will be required when Francisco Liriano finally signs with the club.
VandenHurk was projected to be in the mix for the long reliever role out of the bullpen after a strong season at Triple-A Indianapolis. He had a 2.92 ERA (3.33 FIP) in 123.1 innings, striking out 21.7% and walking 6.7 % of batter faced (3.23 K/BB). He was called up in September and made four appearances out of the bullpen, giving up four runs over 2.2 innings.
VandenHurk was also out of options so if he had survived the cut when the Liriano deal becomes official, so he would have had to make the club out of Spring Training or would have been designated for assignment. Originally from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, VandenHurk would likely have been an outsider for a role in bullpen if he elected to represent his country in this year's World Baseball Classic (the move probably ensures that he will pitch in the WBC). This means that Chris Leroux and Vin Mazzaro, who are also out of options, now have a better shot at making the club; although I do believe that one of the remaining spots should be filled by a left-hander.
I’ve been on the Rick VandenHurk bandwagon since his rookie season with the Marlins back in ’07. His 6.83/1.75 ERA/WHIP that season with Florida would tell you that I was a little early. Some might even say by 7 or 8 years! He did K 82 batters that season in 81 2/3 IP. Overall his major league numbers of 8-11, 50 games (35 GS) a 6.08/1.63 ERA/WHIP, 204 HA, and a 179/96 K/BB will want to make you throw up in your mouth. The 6 QS over that time means that he’s either getting slaughtered or can’t quite go the requisite 6 innings. But this guy could be the second best pitcher ever out of the Netherlands behind HOF Bert Blyleven. It’s kind of like being the second best Jewish pitcher behind Koufax. And it’s takes some adjustment to go from those wooden shoes in Holland to regular baseball cleats! VandenHurk pitched very well for the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate in 2012, posting a 2.92/1.19 ERA/WHIP, 112 HA, and 113/35 K/BB in 123 1/3 IP. His Triple-A career in parts of 6 seasons is becoming something of legend. He’s 40-26 with a 3.74/1.19 ERA/WHIP, 430 HA, and a 401/150 K/BB in 485 2/3 IP. Maybe a team like SD could stick VandenHurk in the rotation for 33 starts to see what they have. But those dreams of VandenHurk in a major league rotation may be put on hold as it’s been announced that he’s signing with a foreign club. And I guess he doesn’t mean the Toronto Blue Jays. If only he can harness his plus chicken salad stuff into usefulness instead of chicken shit! By the by, a little trivia for you: VandenHurk was born exactly 30 years to the day after yours truly on May 22, 1985.
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