If there is a familiar feel to the statistics of Virgil Vasquez, the pitcher the Pirates claimed off waivers yesterday from the Detroit Tigers, there probably is a reason: They sound quite a bit like those of Josh Fogg, good and bad.
Vasquez, a 26-year-old right-hander, went 12-12 with a 4.81 ERA for the Detroit Tigers' Class AAA affiliate last season, with 115 strikeouts and 37 walks. That quality control is something he has shown throughout his professional career: In six minor league seasons, he is 54-48 with a 4.25 ERA, with 610 strikeouts and 185 walks.
Like Fogg, who pitched in Pittsburgh in 2003-06, the record sits at about .500, and the strikes come effortlessly.
But there is the bad that is comparable to Fogg, too: Vasquez gave up 27 home runs last season, with one every 10 innings over his career, as well as 179 hits in 159 innings.
Still, the Pirates liked his potential enough that they became the third team to claim him off waivers this offseason -- the Boston Red Sox did so Oct. 28, the Padres Jan. 9 -- and will give him a chance to add depth to their rotation and bullpen mix, likely after starting out with Class AAA Indianapolis.
If there is a familiar feel to the statistics of Virgil Vasquez, the pitcher the Pirates claimed off waivers yesterday from the Detroit Tigers, there probably is a reason: They sound quite a bit like those of Josh Fogg, good and bad.
Vasquez, a 26-year-old right-hander, went 12-12 with a 4.81 ERA for the Detroit Tigers' Class AAA affiliate last season, with 115 strikeouts and 37 walks. That quality control is something he has shown throughout his professional career: In six minor league seasons, he is 54-48 with a 4.25 ERA, with 610 strikeouts and 185 walks.
Like Fogg, who pitched in Pittsburgh in 2003-06, the record sits at about .500, and the strikes come effortlessly.
But there is the bad that is comparable to Fogg, too: Vasquez gave up 27 home runs last season, with one every 10 innings over his career, as well as 179 hits in 159 innings.
Still, the Pirates liked his potential enough that they became the third team to claim him off waivers this offseason -- the Boston Red Sox did so Oct. 28, the Padres Jan. 9 -- and will give him a chance to add depth to their rotation and bullpen mix, likely after starting out with Class AAA Indianapolis.
Source:post-gazette.com