Pittsburgh Pirates Minors: Projecting Triple-A Indy’s Roster

Infield

This is one that seems pretty set. After posting a 92 wRC+, .186 ISO, .761 OPS, and hitting 23 home runs in 131 games for Indianapolis in 2019, Will Craig will once again be the team’s first baseman.

Second base will likely be Kevin Kramer. While his prospect stock has steadily declined the past two seasons, Kramer still appears to be the team’s second baseman to start the season. Although, veteran utility man Jake Elmore could see starts at second base as well.

At shortstop, at least to start the season, Indy fans should see plenty of Cole Tucker. In Grapefruit League, few players hit the ball better for the Pittsburgh Pirates than Tucker did. Despite this, he was still optioned to Triple-A. Tucker might be the starting shortstop in Pittsburgh sooner rather than later, but to start the season he’ll be in Indianapolis. It should also be noted that Tucker was playing some second base in Grapefruit League games. So, he could also see time at second this season with either Kramer or Elmore starting at shortstop.

Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Pittsburgh Pirates top position player prospect, will man third base to start the season for Indianapolis. Hayes spent all of 2019 at the Triple-A level, and, like Tucker, may not be in Indy long. Unless something goes wrong, Hayes will be the Pirates’ starting third baseman before the end of the 2020 season. But his 2020 season will begin in Indianapolis.

In addition to Elmore, the infield bench is likely to feature minor league signee Phillip Evans and 2016 draft pick Hunter Owen. Evans is an intriguing bench bat as he could offer decent power. As for Owen, he had hit for good power in the minors. However, this power did not flash in his first taste of the Triple-A level last season.

First base – Will Craig
Second base – Kevin Kramer
Shortstop – Cole Tucker
Third base – Ke’Bryan Hayes
Bench – Jake Elmore, Phillip Evans, Hunter Owen