Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Players Who Can Benefit From Expanded Rosters

Catcher John Ryan Murphy and Luke Maile

So, this one is cheating. Sorta. Because were are going to lump a pair of Pittsburgh Pirates players into one slide.

Prior to the suspension of Grapefruit League play veteran catcher, and non-roster invitee, John Ryan Murphy was leading the Pirates in home runs. Throw in his defensive prowess and he was doing all he could to make the roster as Jacob Stallings back up.

Joining Murphy in this competition was MLB free agent signing Luke Maile. Maile, like Murphy, has struggled offensively at the MLB level in his career, but is an elite defender behind the dish.

Unlike Murphy, Maile still has minor league options remaining. Due to this, it was entirely possible the Pirates could have made the decision to break camp with Murphy as Stallings back up and Maile at Triple-A in an effort to cultivate catching depth.

Well, they may not have to make this decision now.

With expanded rosters, it is entirely possible, if not likely, the team could carry three catchers to start the season. If this were to occur, both Murphy and Maile would make the MLB roster and would give the Pirates one of the best defensive trios behind the dish in all of baseball.