FanGraphs has new insane prediction for Pirates' 2025 starting first baseman

The Pittsburgh Pirates' already dire situation at first base went from bad to worse when it was revealed at the start of spring training that offseason trade acquisition Spencer Horwitz had undergone wrist surgery and would not be ready in time for Opening Day.

The Pirates traded for Horwitz in December to address the hole they had at first base, at least on a part-time basis. But his injury has since revealed that Pittsburgh's contingency plans at the position are tenuous at best.

According to FanGraphs' Opening Day roster projections, Darick Hall – a non-roster invitee at Pirates spring training – is expected to man first base for Pittsburgh while batting sixth in the lineup. Of course, nothing about these projections is set in stone, but it does say something about the Pirates that their best internal option at first base is a guy who isn't even currently on the roster.

FanGraphs surprisingly projects Darick Hall to be Pirates' starting first baseman in 2025

The Pirates signed Hall – who hasn't appeared in a Major League game since July 2023 – to a minor-league deal in December. His contract included an invite to big league camp, where he has been one of at least seven different players getting reps at first base while Horwitz is sidelined.

Originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2016 MLB Draft, Hall had an impressive big league debut campaign with Philly in 2022, when he hit nine home runs in 41 games with a .250/.282/.522 slash line. Granted, that is a small sample size, but a promising one nonetheless.

Hall's production took a dip after a thumb surgery that cost him nearly three months of the 2023 season. He slashed just .236/.320/.387 over 488 plate appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, so it's unsurprising that he didn't make it out of the minors last season.

In theory, Horwitz isn't expected to miss much time, so the Pirates would only need short-term production out of Hall if they were to make him their Opening Day first baseman. Of course, they would need to clear a space for him on the 40-man roster, and he's out of minor league options. If he did break camp with the Pirates, they would have to put him through waivers again if they wanted to eventually send him back to the minors. Hall is somewhat of a one-trick pony at first base, so it seems unlikely that he would remain on the big league roster once Horwitz is healthy.

Hall has shown that he can hit for power at the Major League level, but he hasn't shown that he can do it consistently. The injury to Horwitz helps his chances, but if he wants to boot someone out of a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster this season, he's going to have to earn that opportunity this spring.

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