Pittsburgh Pirates Make Six Roster Cuts

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates trimmed their Spring Training roster by six

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their first cuts of the spring. On Monday, the Pirates optioned two players to Triple-A Indianapolis while also re-assigning three players to Minor League camp. None of the moves that were made were surprising.

First off, the Pirates optioned right-handed pitchers Clay Holmes and Nick Kingham to Triple-A Indianapolis. Both Holmes and Kingham are on the 40-man roster, and both will begin the season in the Indians’ starting rotation.

Nick Kingham pitched five innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring. In those five innings pitched he allowed one run on four hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Nick Kingham also put his plus change up and breaking pitch on display this spring. Kingham should join the Pirate rotation sometime this summer.

Clay Holmes pitched in 5 2/3 innings. In those 5 2/3 innings pitched he allowed two runs on seven hits, two walks, he hit a batter, and he struck out ten. While Holmes struggled with his control at times, he also flashed a plus breaking pitch.

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The Pirates also re-assigned pitcher Cody Dickson, catcher Jin-De Jhang, shortstop Kevin Newman, and pitcher Tyler Eppler to Minor League camp. The most recognizable name of this group is shortstop Kevin Newman, who is one the top-50 prospects in all of baseball.

In Grapefruit League play Kevin Newman was 7-for-18 (a .389 batting average). Newman also stole a base this spring. Due to Kevin Newman the future his very bright at shortstop for the Pirates, and the Pirates and their fans got a glimpse of that this spring.

Due to these roster cuts, the Pirates now have 56 players remaining in Major League camp. These 56 players are made up of 27 pitchers and 29 position players.