Pirates Place Former 14th-Ranked MLB Prospect On Waivers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. for assignment, just days after adding him to the 40-man roster. 

Honeywell, 29, was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to fill Bailey Falter's spot on the roster and made two appearances, allowing one earned run with a 1:2 K/BB ratio over 3.1 innings.

Once a highly-touted prospect ranked as high as No. 14 on Baseball America's top-100 list, Honeywell was drafted 72nd overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014. 

We have made the following roster moves:

• Ended the rehab assignment of LHP Marco Gonzales and reinstated him from the 60-day injured list
• Designated RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. for assignment to make room for Gonzales on the 26- and 40-man rosters.
• Ended the rehab…

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 12, 2024

His promising career was derailed by a series of injuries, resulting in four elbow surgeries, including Tommy John surgery and an ulnar nerve decompression. 

These setbacks delayed his MLB debut until 2021, seven years after being drafted. Since then, Honeywell has accumulated a 4.95 ERA over 60 innings in the major leagues, with an 18.5 percent strikeout rate and a 10.4 percent walk rate.

With Honeywell now designated for assignment, the Pirates have a week to decide his future. 

Brent Honeywell, 96mph Fastball and 83mph Screwball, Overlay.

Good luck. pic.twitter.com/ChktwvIAq2

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 8, 2023

They can release him, attempt to pass him through outright waivers, or explore trade options. 

Given that Honeywell is out of minor league options, any team that acquires him will need to place him on their 40-man roster. 

For his minor-league career, Honeywell holds a 3.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, with 591 strikeouts across 572.1 innings and 158 appearances.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports