Pittsburgh Pirates News: New Player Numbers Of Note

Which Pittsburgh Pirates players will be rocking new numbers during the 2019 season?

One of the main, and easiest, ways that people identify professional athletes is by the number they wear on the back of their jerseys. In fact, some athletes are known simply by their jersey number.

When looking at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ official website their roster has been updated. The roster update includes new jersey numbers. This includes both players changing their numbers, as well as what number new players added this offseason will wear in 2019.

We will start with the newly added players.

The first move the Pirates made this offseason was swinging a five-player trade with the Cleveland Indians. In this trade the Pirates added one Major League player – utility man Erik Gonzalez. We now know that Gonzalez will wear number 2 for the Pirates in 2019.

After adding Gonzalez, the team added another ex-Indian. This time, however, the addition came via free agency. Outfielder Lonnie Chisnehall was signed to a one-year contract to play right field until Gregory Polanco is healthy, before transitioning to  fourth outfielder role. During the 2019 season, Chisenhall will rock number 17 for the Bucs.

At last week’s MLB Winter Meetings the Pirates traded away starting pitcher Ivan Nova. A few hours later, they signed pitcher Jordan Lyles. Lyles, who will compete for a spot in the starting rotation in 2019, will wear number 31 in 2019.

When it comes to players changing their number from 2018, there is only one Pirate player in this category. Pitcher Clay Holmes wore number 68 during his first taste of MLB action in 2018, but, in 2019, he will rock number 52.

Finally, there are also players on the 40-man roster that were given numbers for the first time this offseason. This includes the players the Pirates added to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.

Pitching prospect Dario Agrazal was given number 76, while Jesus Liranzo will wear number 60. Pitcher J.T. Brubaker, infielder Cole Tucker, and outfielder Jason Martin were all added to the 40-man roster earlier this offseason to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Brubaker was given number 65, Tucker number 3, and Martin number 53.

Finally, there is Mitch Keller. Keller is the Pirates’ top prospect and one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. When Keller makes his MLB debut this summer, he will wear number 23 for the Bucs.