Pittsburgh Pirates Announce Non-Roster Invitees to MLB Camp

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently announced their list of non-roster invitees to MLB camp this spring

Spring Training is right around the corner and the Pittsburgh Pirates have announced on Twitter their list of non-roster invites to 2021 MLB camp. A total of 26 players, 10 of which are pitchers and 16 of which are position players, will appear in Bradenton with the Pittbsurgh Pirates this spring.

Among the names listed, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be inviting a handful of their top prospects to Spring Training. One name that stands out is 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales. Gonzales was selected by the Bucs with the 7th overall selection in last year’s draft. The second baseman was seen as one of the best pure hitters in college while showing great plate discipline.

Another name that stands out is right-handed pitching prospect Quinn Priester. Priester was the Pirates’ first-round pick in 2019 and has quickly risen though the ranks. He’s recently got a whole bunch of praise from many scouts and outlets.

MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 52nd best prospect in baseball after going unranked in 2020, Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo stated that he could be the best pitching prospect in baseball very soon and scouts of other teams raved about his work in the winter instructionals.

They’ll also be joined by another first-round pick, outfielder Travis Swaggerty. The athletic outfielder ended 2020 as the 54th best prospect in all of baseball by FanGraphs. Swaggerty had some solid numbers at Bradenton in 2019, but is mostly known for his running and fielding ability.

Another player that will be in Spring Training with the team who has appeared on some top 100 prospect lists is Liover Peguero. The headliner of the Starling Marte deal ranked as the 97th best prospect in baseball by FanGraphs at the end of last season. He, like Swaggerty, is a very athletic player. In 2019, Peguero played at Rookie-Ball and Low-A where he posted some mixed numbers, but overall was an above average hitter with a plus glove.

Slugging first baseman Mason Martin, speedy Korean middle infielder Ji-Hwan Bae, right-handed pitcher Cody Bolton, outfielders Cal Mitchell and Cannan Smith-Njigba, and relievers Yerry De Los Santos, Braeden Ogle and Blake Weiman are a handful of other prospects who will get to play in Bradenton this spring.

Many of the players the Pittsburgh Pirates will be inviting have some experience at the Major Leauge level. Out of those with expierence at the game’s highest level, minor league signee Wilmer Difo and right-hander Clay Holmes have played the most games. Pitchers Jandel Gustave, Chase DeJong,  James Marvel, infielders Will Craig, Kevin Kramer and Joe Hudson will also be in attendance.

Many of the Pirates’ top prospects who are on this list have not played much profesisonal baseball. Peguero and Priester have yet to play a full season. Nick Gonzales hasn’t even played a professional game yet. Travis Swaggerty and Canaan Smith has just one full pro-season under his belt as well. of these players will likely start out in the upper minors in 2021. However, some will be gunning for an Opening Day roster spot. Rule 5 pick Shea Spitzbarth, southpaw Blake Weiman, former top prospect Clay Holmes and right-hander Jandel Gustave could sneak into one of the last bullpen spots. Cody Bolton may even vie for a rotation spot.