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4 notable Pirates prospects who will be fighting for 40-man roster spots this year

The Pirates have a handful of players entering important seasons in 2025. For these four, they're fighting for a 40-man roster spot and to avoid the Rule 5 draft.
ByNoah Wright|
Feb 14, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Anthony Solometo (75) during spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Feb 14, 2025; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Anthony Solometo (75) during spring training workouts at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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3. Omar Alfonzo

Omar Alfonzo has been in the Pirates system for a while now, as they signed him back in August 2019. However, he didn’t make his pro debut until his age-17 season in 2021. Last season, Alfonzo had his breakout season, as he played in 110 games with 451 plate appearances between Bradenton and Greensboro and hit very well, while showing off a ton of power.

The backstop/first base prospect slashed .252/.357/.403 with 13 home runs. While he struck out in about a quarter of his plate appearances with a 25.9% K%, he also walked at a 13.5% rate. Alfonzo had a .151 isolated slugging percentage, but hit eight homers in 354 PAs at Bradenton before hitting five more in just 97 trips to the dish after getting promoted to Greensboro. Overall, Alfonzo ended the season with a .361 wOBA and 120 wRC+.

Even though Alfonzo didn’t hit for as much power at A-Ball compared to when he got promoted to High-A, there’s never been a question about his raw strength. Baseball Savant and Statcast tracks batted ball data for A-Ball and Triple-A. Alfonzo’s 92.8 MPH exit velocity was the second best among batters with at least 250 plate appearances, tied with fellow catching prospect Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves, and surpassed by only Trey Cabbage. The only A-Ball prospect who came anywhere close to Alfonzo was Ryan Ignoffo, who still sat at 90.4 MPH, over two whole MPH slower than Alfonzo.

The Pirates already passed Alfonzo through the Rule 5 draft last year, but that was after less than 100 plate appearances above A-Ball, and 2025 will only be his age-21 season. Catchers are also rarely selected in the Rule 5 draft. Only three have been taken in the Major League phase of the draft since 2010. The Pirates also have four catchers already on their 40-man roster.

But Alfonzo could make it to Double-A this year. If he continues to show off the power he did last year while making improvements in his defense and hit tool, the Pirates would almost have to include him on their 40-man roster. He’d likely get scooped up, even if catchers aren’t taken often. 

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