WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2001
A+:  0-1-0, 2.35 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 38.1 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 9.2 K/9 

Started off at high A and pitched well in seven starts, fanning a batter an inning.

2002
AA:  4-4-0, 3.82 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 96.2 IP, 2.6 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
AAA:  2-3-0, 3.28 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 49.1 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 6.4 K/9 

Heilman started in AA and moved up to AAA about two-thirds of the way through the season.  He pitched very well at both levels, but in AAA his K rate dropped by a third.

2003
AAA:  6-4-0, 3.24 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 94.1 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 6.8 K/9
MLB:  2-7-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 65.1 IP, 5.6 BB/9, 7.0 K/9

Had a solid but not outstanding first half in AAA in 2003, with a good ERA but not-so-good WHIP and K rate.  The Mets brought him up in late June and put him in their rotation.  He struggled badly in 13 starts and one relief appearance.

2004
AAA:  7-10-0, 4.33 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 151.2 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 7.3 K/9
MLB:  1-3-0, 5.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 28 IP, 4.2 BB/9, 7.1 K/9 

Heilman went back to AAA until late in the season and didn’t pitch especially well.  He started five games for the Mets late in the season and mostly struggled.

2005
MLB:  5-3-5, 3.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 108 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 8.8 K/9 

Opened the season in the Mets’ rotation, but moved to bullpen after seven starts.  He pitched very well there, with a 2.18 ERA, compared to 4.71 starting.  He had a 9.8 K/9 and 1.11 WHIP as a reliever.

2006
MLB:  4-5-0, 3.62 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 87 IP, 2.9 BB/9, 7.6 K/9 

Continued pitching well, and often, out of the bullpen.

2007
MLB:  7-7-1, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 86 IP, 2.1 BB/9, 6.6 K/9 

Heilman had a very good season, pitching in 81 games, although his K rate dropped for the second straight year.

2008
MLB:  3-8-3, 5.21 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 76 IP, 5.4 BB/9, 9.5 K/9 

Appeared in another 78 games and had a bad year, with walks and HRs (ten) especially being a problem, although his K rate increased sharply.  He was traded during the off-season to Seattle, which a month later sent him on to the Cubs for Ronny Cedeno and Garrett Olson, both members of the Pirates’ organization at the time Heilman joined them.

2009
MLB:  4-4-1, 4.11 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 72.1 IP, 4.2 BB/9, 8.1 K/9 

Appeared in another 70 games and had a mediocre season with the Cubs.  He improved over the previous season mainly by walking fewer, although his walk rate was still high.

2010
MLB:  5-8-6, 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 72 IP, 3.3 BB/9, 6.9 K/9 

Had a roughly similar season after being traded to Arizona, with better control but also a lower K rate (6.9).  Appeared in another 70 games and served as the closer for a while.

2011
AAA (Phi):  0-0-0, 8.38 ERA, 2.07 WHIP, 9.2 IP, 5.6 BB/9, 7.4 K/9
AAA (Pgh):  2-0-1, 0.00 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 8.2 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 6.2 K/9
MLB (Ari):  4-1-0, 6.88 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 35.1 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 8.4 K/9 

Signed a free agent deal to return to the Diamondbacks, but struggled throughout his time with them.  He got hit much harder (.318 opponents’ BA) and allowed a HR every 4.5 innings, although his walk and K rates were ironically very good.  The D’backs released him in July and he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies.  He struggled badly with their AAA affiliate and was released after a month.  With Indianapolis, he allowed no runs in seven games.

The Pirates signed Heilman because they faced some uncertain health situations and probably anticipated needing some innings at Indianapolis.  It couldn’t hurt, either, for them to get a look at him in case they have a chance to sign him to a minor league deal for 2012.  That’s probably what he’s going to have to settle for.