Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 50 | Control: 40 | Overall: 40
Hartlieb began his college career as a basketball player at Quincy University in Illinois, then transferred to Division II Lindenwood University in Missouri to pitch. The Pirates noticed his size and his arm strength, despite his lackluster numbers, and took a flyer on him in the 29th round of the 2016 Draft. Moving to the bullpen upon turning pro, he's been able to pitch his way up the organizational ladder, beginning the 2019 season a phone call away in Triple-A.
While Harlieb is still learning how to pitch, he's also showing the ability to get upper-level hitters to swing and miss with a power two-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the upper-90s typically, and he's hit triple-digits at times, throwing it from a lower slot that makes it hard for hitters to pick up. With good life and sink on it, Hartlieb not only misses bats, but he also gets a lot of groundball outs as a result, with a GO/AO rate over 2.00 entering the 2019 season. He complements his premium fastball with a hard mid-80s slider that will flash above-average at times and will likely settle into the Major League average range when all is said and done.
Command does continue to be an issue for Hartlieb, and he will have to throw more strikes in order to be used in high leverage situations. Given his athleticism and relative inexperience on the mound, there's hope his control will improve the more time he spends there. He's not far from being ready to help out a big league bullpen in some capacity. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 651 115 11 9.6 89.9 8.4 .297 .504 .418 .363 .433 40.4 22.2 10.5 ALL 651 115 11 9.6 89.9 8.4 .297 .504 .418 .363 .433 40.4 22.2 10.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 08/30/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP Geoff Hartlieb from Indianapolis Indians. 08/16/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Geoff Hartlieb to Indianapolis Indians. 07/30/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled Geoff Hartlieb from Indianapolis Indians. 06/29/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP Geoff Hartlieb to Indianapolis Indians. 05/17/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of Geoff Hartlieb from Indianapolis Indians. 04/02/2019 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve. 01/05/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates invited non-roster RHP Geoff Hartlieb to spring training. 04/05/2018 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to Altoona Curve. 03/25/2018 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates. 06/24/2017 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to Bradenton Marauders from West Virginia Power. 04/05/2017 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to West Virginia Power from Bristol Pirates. 06/17/2016 Pittsburgh Pirates signed RHP Geoff Hartlieb. 06/17/2016 RHP Geoff Hartlieb assigned to Bristol Pirates.
