The Pirates opted to guard most of their high prospects who had been eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this 12 months, deciding on the contracts of outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez (No. 15 on MLB Pipeline’s record of the highest Pirates prospects), infielder Jack Brannigan (No. 21), left-hander Tyler Samaniego and right-handers Wilber Dotel (No. 28), Antwone Kelly and Brandan Bidois.
To make room on the roster, right-handers Dauri Moreta and Colin Holderman, utilityman Ronny Simon and outfielder Alexander Canario have been designated for task. Infielder Cam Devanney was launched to pursue a possibility abroad.
Valdez was one of many high hitters within the Pirates’ farm system this 12 months, slashing .286/.376/.520 with 26 residence runs and 25 doubles between Excessive-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. The 21-year-old slugger was named the group’s Willie Stargell Minor League Slugger of the Yr, and he additionally tore up the Arizona Fall League, being named the AFL Offensive Participant of the Yr.
“Figuring out the work that he is put in and the dedication to growing all elements to his recreation, it is not stunning to see a proficient child proceed to get higher when work ethic is current,” director of teaching and participant growth Michael Chernow stated final month over Zoom.
Brannigan, 24, was restricted to simply 59 video games after struggling a proper shoulder damage in June. He underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum in July, reducing the 2022 third-round decide’s season brief. Accidents have been a standard theme in his profession, however he has carried out properly on the sphere, hitting 42 residence runs with 45 stolen bases over 223 Minor League video games the previous three years.
Kelly, 22, additionally took a noticeable leap in 2024, rising from Greensboro to Altoona whereas posting a 3.02 ERA and 116 strikeouts over 107 1/3 innings. He additionally noticed an uptick in velocity after working at Pittsburgh’s baseball services in the US for the primary time final offseason, touching triple-digits for the primary time in his profession.
Dotel, 23, additionally loved a breakout marketing campaign with Altoona. He added a splitter and a cutter to his repertoire that paired properly together with his mid-90s fastball and heavy slider, leading to him going 7-9 with a 4.15 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 125 2/3 innings.
Kelly and Dotel had been used as starters final 12 months, however have a mixture that might doubtlessly play out of the bullpen, as properly.
Bidois, 24, was the group’s Kent Tekulve Minor League Reliever of the Yr after recording a 0.74 ERA whereas rising from Single-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis. He struck out 69 over 61 innings, primarily leaning on a mid-90s fastball and a high-spin slider. He additionally will combine in a changeup and curveball.
Samaniego, 26, seemed to be on a Main League trajectory a number of years in the past earlier than accidents and a down 12 months in 2023 introduced obstacles. He had a pleasant bounceback with Altoona within the second half of this season, putting out 30 over 26 1/3 innings with a 3.08 ERA and a couple of.42 FIP. When he’s on, he gives 96 mph warmth and a spinning slider from the left aspect, one thing the Pirates don’t have a number of with their present bullpen combine.
Solely two Rule 5-eligible gamers on MLB Pipeline’s record of the highest Pirates prospects weren’t added: catcher Omar Alfonzo (No. 19) and left-hander Anthony Solometo, the latter of whom is rehabbing a shoulder damage.
With the flurry of strikes, the Pirates’ roster is at the moment full with 40 gamers. Nov. 21 is the non-tender deadline, that means there might nonetheless be one noticeable shakeup to the roster that gained’t include corresponding strikes.
