PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates announced 14 additional players invited to Major League camp as non-roster invitees, including a few first-rounders and potential wild cards to impact this season.
Expected to compete for an opportunity to make the starting rotation, much like Jared Jones did last year, is right-hander Bubba Chandler. He's not only the Pirates best prospect according to Baseball America, but the seventh best in all of baseball. He struck out 148 in 119.2 innings in 23 starts in 2024.
Last year's first round pick, infielder Konnor Griffin is in his first full season with the Pirates and ranked as the 57th best overall player by Baseball America. It's an opening experience for the shortstop and centerfielder who was in high school last year.
Termarr Johnson was the Pirates first-round pick in 2022 and ranked as the sixth best second base prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. He was fifth in the South Atlantic League (High A) last year with a .372 on-base percentage. He his .319 in July and .290 in September last year.
Starting pitcher Thomas Harrington has just quietly moved up the Bucs farm system, last year finishing with a 2.61 ERA, second-best in the organization with at least 90 innings pitched. The right-handed starter is the 74th overall prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and finished last season with AAA Indianapolis.
Left-handed starter Anthony Solometo struggled in his second full professional season in 2024. The 22-year-old was 1-8 with a 5.37 ERA with 39 walks in 70.1 innings and a 1.52 WHIP in AA. He did have a solid August last year with a 3.28 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
The closest prospect with power in the Pirates system also is getting an invite to big league camp, outfielder Matt Gorski can play center or corner outfield and is learning first base. The 6'2" right-handed hitter was on track as a major prospect before a severe hamstring injury ended his 2022 season after 24 home runs in just 80 games. Last year in AAA had 24 doubles and 23 home runs with 15 stolen bases and a .841 OPS.
Pirates report to camp next Wednesday, February 12.
