Outlook for every attendee at Pirates spring training 2020

Outlook for every attendee at Pirates spring training 2020:

Note: Format is uniform number, player name, age, bats/throws, height/weight, MLB seasons, how acquired

Infielders—

55 Josh Bell, 27, S/R, 6-4/250, 4, 2^nd rd pick 2011 draft

Bell was challenging Babe Ruth records his first two months of 2019; he cooled off but is the Pirates’ new best player

31Will Craig, 25, R/R, 6-3/220, 0, 1^st rd pick, 2016 draft

Blocked at first base by Bell, Craig is looking for a position. He has some power, but does he get on base enough?

61 Oneil Cruz, 21, L/R, 6-6/210, 0, Trade, 2017

One of the Pirates’ top prospects, Cruz was acquired in the Tony Watson deal. His size might mean a position switch.

26 Adam Frazier, 28, L/R, 5-10/185, 4, 6^th rd pick 2013 draft

One of the Pirates’ most reliable players, Frazier proved he deserved an everyday role in 2019.

2 Erik Gonzalez, 28, R/R, 6-3/205, 4, Trade 2019

Acquired from the Indians to be the Pirates’ starting shortstop last season, Gonzalez struggled and was oft-injured.

13 Ke’Byan Hayes, 23, R/R, 6-1/210, 0, 1^st rd pick 2015 draft

Hayes’ third-base defense has become the stuff of legend, but his offense did not pop at Triple-A last year.

19 Colin Moran, 27, L/R, 6-4/205, 4, Trade 2018

Moran’s a proven major-leaguer – but his defense and lack of excessive power make him a less-than-ideal starting third baseman.

27 Kevin Newman, 26, R/R, 6-0/200, 2, 1^st rd pick 2015 draft

Newman was one of the more pleasant stories of 2019 for the Pirates. He showed he’s an everyday major-leaguer.

36 Jose Osuna, 27, R/R, 6-2/240, 3, Intl FA 2009

Osuna played five positions last season and provided some power (10 home runs) off the bench.

15 JT Riddle, 28, L/R, 6-1/180, 3, Free agent 2020

A shortstop by trade, Riddle handled outfield duties for the Marlins last season and could platoon in center.

3 Cole Tucker, 23, S/R, 6-3/205, 1, 1^st rd pick 2014 draft

Despite hitting .211/.256/.361 in 56 games as a rookie last season, Tucker is still viewed as part of the Pirates’ future.

Two seasons ago, the #Pirates had an outfield of Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco — all on the under side of 30 with specific, serviceable skill sets. https://t.co/Ge1o0x2Gh9

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 8, 2020

Outfielders

5 Guillermo Heredia, 29, R/L, 5-10/195, 4, Free agent 2020

Heredia can hit lefthanded pitching, provide speed and good defense and fit in well in the clubhouse.

44 Kevin Kramer, 26, L/R, 6-0/195, 2, 2^nd rd pick 2015 draft

Vying for a super-utility role, Kramer has not shown much with the bat (.152/.222/.165) in 87 MLB plate appearances.

51 Jason Martin, 24, L/R, 5-9/185, 1, Trade 2018

Part of the return for Gerrit Cole, Martin’s ceiling is probably as a fourth outfielder. He should get a shot in 2020.

25 Gregory Polanco, 28, L/L, 6-5/235, 6, Intl FA 2009

Polanco appeared to be tapping his seemingly limitless potential in 2018; then, a bad slide and shoulder injury ruined his 2019.

10 Bryan Reynolds, 25, S/R, 6-3/205, 1, Trade 2018

The biggest and most pleasant surprise of last season for the Pirates, can Reynolds duplicate or improve on his rookie year?

Catchers

14 Luke Maile, 29, R/R, 6-3/225, 5, Free agent 2020

Maile is above-average defensively and as a receiver, but he has a poor .556 career OPS offensively.

58 Jacob Stallings, 30, R/R, 6-4/220, 4, 7^th rd pick 2012 draft

Stallings won’t win any Silver Slugger awards, either, but he is beloved by pitchers and reliable behind the plate.

All you need to know about Ben Cherington’s and Derek Shelton’s expectations for the Pittsburgh Pirates is the team’s second-most-productive run producer doesn’t have a lock on his job.https://t.co/7Xwmp9ARBm

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 7, 2020

Starting pitchers

24 Chris Archer, 31, R/R, 6-2/195, 8, Trade 2018

A dependable veteran, Archer was a disappointment in his first Pirates season after arriving with great fanfare.

43 Steven Brault, 27, L/L, 6-0/195, 4, Trade 2015

During the middle moths of 2019, Brault was the Pirates’ best starter. He seems to have trouble putting together a consistent full season.

65, JT Brubaker, 26, R/R, 6-3/185, 0, 6^th rd pick 2015 draft

The organization’s 2018 pitcher of the year, Brubaker’s 2019 was injury-filled. He’s not can’t-miss, but expect him to make the majors.

23 Mitch Keller, 23, R/R, 6-2/210, 1, 2^nd rd pick 2014 draft

Keller was (and still is) the Pirates’ most ballyhooed prospect, but he had a 7.13 ERA in 11 MLB starts last season.

39 Chad Kuhl, 27, R/R, 6-3/215, 3, 9^th rd pick 2013 draft

Out since since 2018 because of Tommy John surgery, Kuhl could be a mid-rotation starter or late inning reliever if healthy.

59 Joe Musgrove, 27, R/R, 6-5/235, 4, Trade 2018

Musgrove has the potential of a clubhouse leader and upper-rotation starter. This could be the season he puts it all together.

50 Jameson Taillon, 28, R/R, 6-5/230, 4, 1^st rd pick, 2010 draft

For the third time in his pro career, Taillon will miss an entire season because of injury. A shame after his 2018 was so strong.

34, Trevor Williams, 27, R/R, 6-3/230, 4, Trade, 2016

Williams was never going to replicate his 2018 second half (1.38 ERA), but his 2019 was a big disappointment (5.38 ERA).

On the eve of the day #Pirates pitchers and catchers were required to report to spring training, here are four pitchers who enter it on a proverbial bubble of sorts:https://t.co/WL7iyx09OM

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 8, 2020

Relievers

57, Nick Burdi, 27, R/R, 6-3/225, 2, Rule V draft 2018

Coming off Tommy John surgery, Burdi was beginning to show the promise of his arm last April before a nerve injury ended his season.

62, Blake Cederlind, 24, R/R, 6-4/215, 0, 5^th rd pick 2016 draft

Cederlind limited baserunners and struck out hitters in 2019 at High-A and Double-A and could work his way into an MLB bullpen.

30, Kyle Crick, 27, L/R, 6-4/220, 3, Trade 2018

At times over two seasons with the Pirates, Crick has looked dominant. At other times, he’s struggled mightily.

45, Michael Feliz, 26, R/R, 6-4/240, 5, Trade 2018

Feliz was a disappointment upon his arrival in 2018, but he settled in as an adequate bullpen arm last year.

32, Geoff Hartlieb, 26, R/R, 6-5/235, 1, 29^th rd pick 2016 draft

As he progressed in the system, the Pirates liked Hartlieb. But a rookie season of 9.00 ERA in 35 innings did him no favors.

52, Clay Holmes, 26, R/R, 6-5/225, 2, 9^th rd pick 2011 draft

In 76 1/3 MLB innings, Holmes has a 5.58 ERA and 1.76 WHIP but will still get at least one more shot.

54, Sam Howard, 26, R/L, 6-4/200, 2, Waivers 2020

A pretty good starter coming up the Rockies system, Howard struggled as a reliever as a rookie last season.

35, Keone Kela, 26, R/R, 6-1/210, 5, Trade 2018

Projected to be the opening-day closer, the Pirates almost assuredly hope he succeeds so they can trade him.

66, Dovydas Neverauskas, 27, R/R, 6-3/220, 3, Intl FA 2009

The first Lithuanian to pitch in MLB (2017), Neveruaskas was awful last season but has the arm and stuff to get another shot.

60, Cody Ponce, 25, R/R, 6-5/255, 0, Trade 2019

The trade return for Jordan Lyles, Ponce has a chance to develop into a mid-rotation MLB starter. He’ll start 2020 in Triple-A.

38, Yacksel Rios, 26, R/R, 6-3/215, 3, Waivers 2019

Rios has spent parts of the past three seasons in the majors, striking out a batter per inning but with a 6.20 ERA.

48, Richard Rodriguez, 29, R/R, 6-4/218, 3, minor-lg FA signing 2018

When Rodriguez is on, he has the look of a dominant high-leverage reliever. But when he’s off, he’s really off.

37, Edgar Santana, 28, R/R, 6-2/190, 2, intl FA signing 2013

Santana had a late-inning role in 2018 before requiring Tommy John surgery that ruined his 2019.

46, Chris Stratton, 29, R/R, 6-2/211, 4, Trade 2019

Stratton had a 3.66 ERA in 28 games for the Pirates last season; that made him one of their better relievers in 2019.

Derek Shelton is preparing for his first spring training as a major-league manager by practicing his first speech, which he plans to deliver before the #Pirates’ first full-squad practice.https://t.co/9CxN55Lzxz

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) February 8, 2020

Non-roster invitees

29, Socrates Brito, OF, 27, L/L, 6-2/220, 4, minor-lg FA signing 2020

63, Miguel Del Pozo, P, 27, L/L, 6-1/180, 1, minor-lg FA signing 2020

83, Jason Delay, C, 24, R/R, 5-11/195, 0, 4^th rd pick, 2017 draft

56, Montana DuRapau, P, 27, R/R, 5-10/190, 1, 32^nd rd pick 2014 draft

68, Jake Elmore, INF, 32, R/R, 5-10/180, 6, trade, 2019

72, Robbie Erlin, P, 29, R/L, 6-0/190, 6, minor-lg FA signing 2020

77, Luis Escobar, P, 23, R/R, 6-1/205, 1, intl FA signing 2013

64, Philip Evans, INF, 27, R/R, 5-10/210, 2, minor-lg FA signing 2020

49, Derek Holland, P, 33, S/L, 6-2/213, 11, minor-lg FA signing 2020

79, Williams Jerez, P, 27, L/L, 6-4/205, 1, waivers 2019

75, Christian Kelley, C, 26, R/R, 5-10/190, 0, 11^th rd pick, 2015 draft

70, Tom Koehler, P, 33, R/R, 6-1/240, 6, minor-lg FA signing 2019

74, James Marvel, P, 26, R/R, 6-2/205, 1, 36^th rd pick 2015 draft

81, Nick Mears, P, 23, R/R, 6-3/215, 0, nondrafted FA 2018

18, John Ryan Murphy, C, 28, R/R, 5-11/205, 7, minor-lg FA signing 2020

67, Hector Noesi, P, 33, R/R, 6-3/220, 6, minor-lg FA signing 2020

76, Jared Oliva, OF, 24, R/R, 6-2/195, 0, 7^th rd pick 2017 draft

80, Andrew Susac, C, 29, R/R, 6-1/215, 5, minor-lg FA signing 2020

73, Charlie Tilson, OF, 27, L/L, 6-0/185, 3, minor-lg FA signing 2020

71, Nik Turley, P, 30, L/L, 6-4/235, 1, waivers 2018

82, Blake Weiman, P, 24, R/L, 6-4/210, 0, 8^th rd pick 2017 draft

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