As Opening Day closes in, it’s heartbreaking time for the Pirates as they choose the 26 guys they’re rocking with to start the season.
Over the past week, the Bucco’s have announced multiple players have been cut who had a legit chance to make the team.
The most surprising one for most so far was the hot-hitting former first round pick Travis Swaggerty, who was looked at as the probable fourth outfielder.
Swaggerty turned heads this spring after being one of the team’s best hitters with a .379/.471/1.161 slash, 3 HRS, and 10 RBIs.
Along with Swaggerty, the team optioned Tucupita Marcano to Triple-A as well. Marcano came in having a legit shot at the second base job, but after a poor showing (from all candidates really), the team stuck with Rodolfo Castro.
Pitchers Yohan Ramirez and Luis Ortiz are also making the trip to Indianapolis, missing out on a bullpen and rotation spot respectively.
Ortiz is Pittsburgh’s #8 prospect and should see starts down the line though.
Veteran non-roster invites Chris Owings and Kevin Plawecki couldn’t crack the team either. Owings agreed to retain his contract and take reassignment to Triple-A, while Plawecki decides to become a free agent with the hopes to make another big-league roster.
This means the backup catching job is now between Tyler Heineman and Jason Delay. Heineman most likely has the edge due to experience and defensive ability.
The bench candidates are now narrowed to Connor Joe, Ji Hwan Bae, Mark Mathias, Miguel Andujar, and Canaan Smith-Njigba. Andujar is the last non-roster player on the list and the Pirates seem to like his ability and given history.
Opening Day is only four days away and the five guys left are going to need to prove their worth now rather than later.