4 years agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates picked up hurler Duane Underwood Jr. from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in exchange for minor league first baseman Shendrik Apostel. The pitcher had recently been designated for assignment by the Cubs. A former second-round pick out of high school, Underwood Jr. never realized his full potential with the Cubs and spent parts of the past two years pitching out of the bullpen at the MLB level. He showed some potential last year with a 31% strikeout rate but allowed too many hits and was hurt by the home run ball. His 46% hard-hit-ball rate was one of the worst in the league. Underwood Jr., 26, will be a project for the Pirates but he's also out of minor-league options.--Marc Hulet - RotoBaller
Source: Patrick Mooney