PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates on Friday claimed right-hander Aaron Slegers off waivers from the Twins.
The 6-foot-10 Slegers will likely serve as rotation depth at Triple-A Indianapolis, as he has two Minor League options left, though he could pitch in a multi-inning relief role for the Pirates. To make room for Slegers on their 40-man roster, the Bucs designated right-hander Dario Agrazal for assignment. Pittsburgh's 40-man roster remains full.
Slegers, 26, was named the Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2017 after going 15-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 148 1/3 innings over 24 starts for Triple-A Rochester. Slegers led the Triple-A leagues in wins that season, and he was tied for the most wins in the Minors. Slegers put together a 3.80 ERA in 85 1/3 innings over 15 starts for Rochester last season.
The 245-pound righty throws a four-seam fastball that's clocked around 90-91 mph along with a sinker, slider and changeup.
Slegers made his big league debut for the Twins in 2017. He pitched in eight games for Minnesota over the past two years and started in five of them. Slegers posted a 5.90 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and eight walks in 29 innings for the Twins, who designated him for assignment on Jan. 4.
The Twins picked Slegers in the fifth round of the 2013 Draft. He is 48-36 with a 3.54 ERA in his Minor League career. Slegers won't be far from familiar territory if he joins the Pirates' Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate, as he attended Indiana University in nearby Bloomington, Ind.
Agrazal, 24, was the Pirates' No. 26 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He made only 17 appearances last season, 15 of them with Double-A Altoona, and he finished the year with a 3.99 ERA for the Curve.