Dovydas Neverauskas

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #17 prospect in 2018
  Neverauskas, who first drew the Pirates' attention at the European Academy in Italy as a 16-year-old, became the first Lithuanian player in major league history in 2017. Neverauskas' career trajectory has spiked since he moved to the bullpen in 2015 after a rough season in at low Class A West Virginia, and he was dominant throughout the higher levels of the minors before breaking through and making 24 appearances in the majors in 2017. Neverauskas has long limbs, but he has an efficient delivery and can easily locate a four-seam fastball that averages 97 mph and tops out around 99. He also uses an average slider to keep the ball off the barrel. The Pirates showed increased faith in Neverauskas throughout his big league appearances, and he could soon be part of their bridge to closer Felipe Rivero.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #24 prospect in 2017
  No players born and raised in Lithuania had signed a contract with a major league organization until Neverauskas did in 2009. He caught the Pirates' attention while attending Major League Baseball's European Academy in Italy and signed for $60,000 as a 16-year old. After stalling as a starter at low Class A West Virginia, Neverauskas' career took off in 2015 when he moved to the bullpen. Pitching in short stretches, he became more comfortable cutting loose his fastball, and it has since been clocked as high as 98 mph. He was selected to play in the 2016 Futures Game and impressed with a scoreless inning of relief. He also mixes in an occasional slider and cutter, which are both average pitches. Neverauskas' hit a speed bump when he was suspended for the final week of the 2016 season at Triple-A Indianapolis after being involved in a bar fight. The Pirates added him to the 40-man roster in November to prevent him from becoming a minor league free agent. Neverauskas will begin 2017 back at Triple-A.