Pirates continue selloff, trade Tyler Anderson to Phillies

The sun rose on another hot July summer day in the City of Pittsburgh and not much has changed in the past 72 hours at PNC Park.

After trading second baseman Adam Frazier to San Diego on Sunday and reliever Clay Holmes to the New York Yankees on Monday, the Pirates secured a three-day streak by dealing left-handed starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to the Philadelphia Phillies for right-handed pitcher Cristian Hernandez and catcher Abrahan Gutierrez, according to Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette.

The 31-year-old free agent to be Anderson was scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers to begin a six-game homestand. During his lone season in the black and gold, Anderson recorded a 4.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 5-8 record, striking out 86 and walking 25 in 103 ⅓ innings, pitching at least five innings in all 18 starts.

In return, the Pirates are receiving two A-ball prospects who have spent the 2021 season in Clearwater.

Hernandez, 20, was rated the Phillies' 29th best prospect in the organization by MLB Pipeline and 25th by Baseball America in their fresh system re-rank. Pipeline graded the starter with a 55-grade fastball, 55 slider, 40 changeup, and 50 control, displaying a repeatable delivery and swing-and-miss stuff. In 14 games, 12 starts, in 2021, Hernandez struck out 74 in 56 ⅔ innings, walking 22 with a3.49 ERAm .220 opponent average, and 1.20 WHIP. Before this season, Hernandez last pitched in 2018 for the Phillies DSL team in the Dominican Summer League.

Gutierrez was ranked 27th by BA (not ranked by Pipeline) and adds another catcher to a previously depleted position in the system. In 48 games this season, the 21-year-old has hit nine doubles, five home runs, and driven in 29 in 172 at-bats, taking 36 walks and striking out 29 times with a .285/.418/.424 slash line.

2021 has been Gutierrez’s best season in the minors, beginning with the Braves organization in 2017 before being let go and signing with Philadelphia due to the Braves violation of international signing rules.

The Pirates continue to add prospects after acquiring five players combined in the Frazier and Holmes deals. The MLB Trade Deadline is set for 4 p.m. Friday, July 30 with deals of Richard Rodriguez, Chris Stratton and potentially others coming before time runs out.