REPORT AAA OF exercises option, leaves Pirates

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates are losing a AAA outfielder with no return back. 28-year-old outfielder Dominic Fletcher is exercising a July 1^st opt-out option in his contract, per Robert Murray of FanSided, and will become a free agent.

The 5’8” Fletcher played 40 games with Indianapolis hitting .289 with a .496 slugging and .878 OPS. He had five doubles and seven home runs. He has played 533 career minor-league games with a .284 average and 69 home runs.

With young outfielders Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhostynxon Garcia, especially with the tear Valdez is on in the majors, there was no spot for him. Add into that the Pirates expect Oneil Cruz back at some point this month and Jake Mangum has performed well.