MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates 2019 season
The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for another season of professional baseball. Coming into this season, the Pirates have made some headlines that would take fans either in a good or bad direction. While the Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs and Reds have made noise this off season, the Pirates have remained rather quiet.
Off-Season News
This past off season, Pirates fans weren’t really happy with some decisions that owner Bob Nutting and General Manager Neil Huntington made. They started the off season by not electing to bring back catcher Chris Stewart. Besides that, the Pirates bought out Josh Harrison’s $10.5M contract. Letting both of these players go has led to two positions on the left side of the infield being vacant.
In the last series of last year’s season against the Reds the Pirates played Jung Ho Kang. Kang had one year remaining on the deal he previously had (he was scheduled to make $5.5M) this upcoming season. That one year was via a club option that the Pirates declined to pick up. Instead, the Pirates came to terms with Kang on a one year, $3M salary with $2.5M in incentives. Kang is currently 31 years old.
Prospects in Bradenton
One thing I love about spring training is the chance to see some of the top prospects in each team’s organization. The Pirates have a talented prospect in Ke’Bryan Hayes, who is currently the top position player in the Pirates’ farm system and MLB Pipeline’s No. 48 overall prospect. Hayes had a .293 batting average and hit seven home runs in 117 games for Double-A Altoona last year and is for sure going to be sent to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the Pittsburgh Pirates 2019 season.
Will Craig is the other big name prospect currently with the Pirates in big league camp. Craig showed power last season with the Altoona Curve by launching 20 home runs and driving in 102 RBIs (runs batted in). To prove those numbers were legit, in the Arizona Fall League, Craig batted .304 with a .947 OPS. Will Craig was the Pirates’ first-round draft pick in 2016 and is the Pirates’ No. 16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Bryan Reynolds, who is the Pirates’ No. 8 prospect, is also in big league camp in Bradenton. Reynolds was acquired by the Pirates from the Giants in the Andrew McCutchen trade. Last season, Reynolds overcame an injury (fractured left hamate bone) and hit for a .302 average in 88 games with the Altoona Curve. Reynolds is a switch-hitter and played all three outfield positions in Altoona. Additionally, Reynolds played both corner spots in the Arizona Fall League.
Tyler Eppler will probably be a part of the Pirates’ pitching rotation depth this season in some capacity, after he posted a 3.59 ERA in his second season with Triple-A Indianapolis. Geoff Hartlieb and Alex McRae also look to factor in as well. Hartlieb will probably find himself in Triple-A after posting a 3.24 ERA along with a 1.47 WHIP during 47 relief appearances for the Altoona Curve last season. McRae, on the other hand, had his major league debut last season. McRae should return as either a depth option that has the ability to start in the rotation or come out of the bullpen in relief.
Conclusion
The Pittsburgh Pirates have some nice prospects in their farm system that will see the major league roster soon. The nucleus these prospects form will be vital for the future of the Pirates organization.
Photo Credit to Keith Allison via Flickr
