Pirates Place Bryce Brentz On Waivers

The Pittsburgh Pirates have now trimmed their Spring Training roster down to 32 players

By Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates need to trim their roster down to the 25 players they will be using when the regular season starts. Their spring roster is now down to 32 players due to outfielder Bryce Brentz being placed on outright waivers.

News of Brentz being placed on outright waivers was first broken by Liz Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Saturday:

This rumor was then addressed by Bryce Brentz on Sunday who confirmed that he had indeed been placed on outright waivers. However, this does not mean that Brentz’s days in the Pirate organization is over as he has also expressed interest in remaining with the Pirates.

In order for this to happen, Brentz must first clear waivers. While Bryce Brentz has never shown much in the Major Leagues, .302 wOBA, 84 wRC+, .379 slugging percentage in 90 plate appearances, he has never been given much of a chance. Furthermore, the former first-round draft pick is coming off a 2017 season where he hit 31 home runs and won the Triple-A home run derby.

It is not inconceivable that a bad team or a team desperate for outfield help may take a flier on Brentz. If that does not happen though, look for Brentz to stick with the Pirates and to be part of the outfield at Triple-A Indianapolis this season.

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When the Pirates acquired Brentz it appeared he had a great opportunity to make the team. However, since then, the team has added Corey Dickerson and Jose Osuna has looked like Barry Bonds this spring leaving Brentz without a spot on the roster.

Bryce Brentz was 10-for-40 with a home run and a .362 on-base percentage this spring.