The Pirates introduced their preliminary listing of non-roster invitees for 2024 Spring Coaching, and quite a lot of thrilling prospects made the reduce, together with 5 in MLB Pipeline’s High 100.
A lot of the gamers on the total listing will open the season with Minor League associates, but it surely’s not less than value elevating the query of what a stellar spring may do for Skenes and Jones, who’re ranked No. 3 and No. 62, respectively, on the High 100 Prospects listing. The one mark towards Skenes is that he hasn’t thrown greater than a full recreation’s value of innings as a professional, whereas Jones struggled in his first leap from an important Double-A exhibiting to Triple-A Indianapolis, the place he had a 4.72 ERA in 15 begins and one aid look.
The remainder of the highest guys are simply scratching the floor of Double-A or are primed to achieve the extent this season. Johnson (No. 44 total) suits into the latter group after he topped out at Excessive-A Greensboro final yr, when he elevated his OPS from his first professional season to his second by a very good margin (.731 in 2022 to .860 in ‘23). He solely slugged one homer in 23 video games in his first yr, however he slugged 18 in 105 video games final yr.
Solometo (No. 82) will be part of the Main League camp alongside established MLB lefties in Marco Gonzales and Martín Pérez, and he’ll attempt to use their data in addition to different gamers’ insights to rebound at Double-A after starting his time at Altoona with a 4.35 ERA in his first 12 begins. That is usually the largest take a look at for Minor Leaguers, because the strongest prospects usually don’t want a lot time at Triple-A, however all want reps at Double-A.
Bubba Chandler (No. 93) broke into the High 100 with robust strikeout numbers in 2023, when he had 128 Ok’s over 111 innings throughout Excessive-A and one begin at Double-A. He’s nonetheless working to wash up his command and repeat his supply to trim the 4.54 ERA he put up final season, however the former two-way standout in highschool is definitely wanting extra snug as a full-time pitcher, and time in large league camp can solely develop his confidence.
The listing additionally contains right-hander Thomas Harrington, the primary Pirate exterior of the High 100 if final yr’s High 30 membership rankings maintain. The 22-year-old was drafted with the thirty sixth total decide within the 2022 Draft out of Campbell, and he proved to be pro-ready in 2023 throughout Single-A and Excessive-A with 146 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings to go along with a 3.53 ERA in 26 begins. Given his school pedigree and rising rank, don’t be shocked if he’s pushing for an end-of-year callup in 2024.
The remainder of the sphere of non-roster invitees are infielder Andrés Alvarez, catcher Carter Bins, infielder Jack Brannigan (No. 20 Pirates prospect per MLB Pipeline), outfielder Matt Gorski (No. 19), catcher Abrahan Gutierrez, infielder/outfielder Joe Perez and right-hander Sean Sullivan.
Pirates pitchers and catchers report back to LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., on Feb. 14.
