The Kansas City Royals have acquired left-handed starting pitcher Bailey Falter from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Multiple sources had the news, but it appears Jon Heyman of the New York Post was first by a gnat’s eyelash, to borrow an expression from legendary former Pirates broadcaster Bob Prince. The Pirates are getting two prospects, left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk and first baseman Callan Moss. Neither are ranked prospects.
Royals Acquire Bailey Falter from Pirates
We have acquired LHP Bailey Falter from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor league LHP Evan Sisk and minor league 1B Callan Moss.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 31, 2025
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Falter, 28, is in the sixth year of his major league career. He’s having his best season at 7-5 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.182 WHIP. He’s held opponents to a .232/.297/.415 slash line and a .239 BABIP. However, that comes with a below-average 4.86 FIP, a too-low 15.3 percent strikeout rate, and a too-high 8.5 percent walk rate. Even so, he’s pitched well lately. Since May 9, he’s registered a 3.08 ERA despite a 4.97 FIP. He relies primarily on a four-seam fastball, which he throws 46.4 percent of the time. It averages just 92.2 mph but sneaks up on the hitters because of his arm extension. Falter is eligible for arbitration in 2026 and free agency in 2029.
This one may especially sting for Pirates fans because Falter was obtained in one of general manager Ben Cherington’s few trades that were one-sided in the Pirates’ favor. Falter was acquired at the 2023 deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies for enigmatic infielder Rodolfo Castro. Castro has appeared in 14 games for Philadelphia, none since 2023.
The Pirates’ Haul
This is the second deadline deal between the two clubs, with the Pirates sending Adam Frazier to Kansas City earlier this month. While that deal was understandable, this one is a head-scratcher from the Pirates’ standpoint. By netting Falter, the Royals appear to have won this trade.
Sisk was with the Royals in April and May. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted in the 16th round in the 2018 June Amateur Draft. At age 28, “prospect” may be a euphemism. In five games covering 5 1/3 innings, he gave up just one earned run on five hits and five walks while striking out 11. In seven minor league seasons, he’s posted a 19-16 record, 3.22 ERA, and 1.370 WHIP in 297 games, four of which were starts. Perhaps all that minor league seasoning is helping him. He had a 1.57 ERA at Triple-A Omaha in 58 games in 2024, followed by 3.77 in 31 games there in 2025.
Moss, 21, was a nondrafted amateur free agent. He’s a right-handed hitter who played at High-A Quad Cities this year. There, he hit .270/.372/.418, 7 HR, and 70 RBI while stealing 14 bases. It’s too early to tell, but that profiles like a right-handed version of current Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz. At six-foot-three, 225 pounds, maybe there’s more power to come from Moss.
Main Photo Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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