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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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1. Anthony Solometo

Anthony Solometo was one of the Pirates’ many over-slot high school draft picks in 2021. He was the Pirates’ pick before Bubba Chandler, and he showed a ton of promise in 2023. The southpaw had a 3.26 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP in 110.1 innings between Greensboro and Altoona. He was one of the youngest pitchers to make double-digit starts at Double-A, as he was only in his age-20 season, and he did it while producing about league-average numbers.

Unfortunately, Solometo’s 2024 was a lot less promising, to say the least. He only pitched 70.1 innings, working to a 5.37 ERA, 5.40 FIP, and 1.52 WHIP. He saw his walk rate go from just 8.8% the previous season to 12.4%, while his K% took a nosedive from 26.2% to just 16.9%. Solometo induced ground balls at a strong 51.2% rate and had a 1.02 HR/9 rate, but those are about the only good things you can say of his 2024 campaign.

On top of his poor performance, Solometo’s stuff took a step back as well. In 2023, he was sitting 92-94 MPH, but was only topping out around 90-91 MPH last season. Solometo did regain some of his velocity late into the year, and is back up closer to 92-93 MPH with his two-seamer in spring training this year. He’ll also mix in a slider and changeup that project as above-average and average, respectively. His low arm slot has always been deceptive as well. The Pirates might also be able to squeeze more out of Solometo if he were to move to a bullpen role.

Solometo’s case is very interesting. He struggled badly in 2024, but isn’t far removed from a strong 2023 season. He might not have the overpowering stuff like Dotel, but he was ranked as a top 100 prospect by MLB Pipeline at the start of last season. It is admittedly hard to see him making the 40-man roster with another poor season, but he’d still likely be one of the better left-handed pitching prospects in the Rule 5 draft class. This would lead you to believe the Pirates might be looking to deal him at the deadline to avoid a difficult offseason protection conversation. The better he pitches, the more interesting this dynamic gets.

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