Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40
The University of Akron has had five pitchers reach the big leagues, the most recent being Chris Bassitt, who saw time up with the A's in 2018. Brubaker's ascent up the Pirates' ladder since being a sixth-round pick in 2015 hasn't necessarily wowed anyone, but he's knocking on the door after reaching Triple-A and leading the organization in ERA in '18, earning him a spot on the 40-man roster. He seemed certain to be the next Zips hurler to make it to the highest level in 2019, but a forearm strain and elbow inflammation has kept him out of action for most of the season.
Brubaker's two best pitches are his fastball and slider. He'll pitch in the 92-96 mph range with his heater, thrown with sink. His slider flashes plus and it's firm, around 88 mph. It has some dart-like life to it and sometimes looks more like a cutter, a pitch he gets a lot of weak contact on the ground with. He started mixing in a curveball to give hitters a different look and he also has a changeup, though that's too firm with not enough differential from his fastball. He can throw strikes with all of his offerings.
With more of a ground-ball oriented approach to pitching, Brubaker has never missed a ton of bats. The one exception to that was when he pitched in relief in the Arizona Fall League in 2017. While he has the arsenal and durability to be a back-end starter, there are some who think he might have more long-term success as a two-pitch reliever. Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/30/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates recalled RHP JT Brubaker from Indianapolis Indians. 06/18/2019 Indianapolis Indians sent RHP JT Brubaker on a rehab assignment to West Virginia Black Bears. 04/28/2019 Indianapolis Indians placed RHP JT Brubaker on the 7-day injured list. Right forearm strain. 03/09/2019 Pittsburgh Pirates optioned RHP JT Brubaker to Indianapolis Indians. 11/20/2018 Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of JT Brubaker from Indianapolis Indians. 05/25/2018 RHP J.T. Brubaker assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve. 05/23/2018 RHP J.T. Brubaker assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians. 05/21/2018 Indianapolis Indians activated RHP J.T. Brubaker from the temporarily inactive list. 05/17/2018 Indianapolis Indians placed RHP J.T. Brubaker on the temporarily inactive list. 05/10/2018 RHP J.T. Brubaker assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve. 05/16/2017 Altoona Curve activated RHP J.T. Brubaker from the 7-day disabled list. 05/04/2017 Altoona Curve placed RHP J.T. Brubaker on the 7-day disabled list. Bilster on right index finger. 04/05/2017 RHP J.T. Brubaker assigned to Altoona Curve from Bradenton Marauders. 06/23/2016 RHP Jonathan Brubaker assigned to Bradenton Marauders from GCL Pirates. 06/13/2016 RHP Jonathan Brubaker assigned to GCL Pirates from Bradenton Marauders. 06/08/2016 RHP Jonathan Brubaker assigned to Bradenton Marauders from West Virginia Power. 04/05/2016 RHP Jonathan Brubaker assigned to West Virginia Power from West Virginia Black Bears. 06/12/2015 Pittsburgh Pirates signed RHP Jonathan Brubaker.
