Full list of Pirates minor-league free agents highlighted by familiar names

Although it may not be as exciting, building up the depth in the minor leagues is just as important as rushing top prospects to the majors or building the big-league roster. Before next season can begin, the Pirates have some work to do within the organization, as 22 minor leaguers just elected free agency.

Some of their names will be familiar to anyone who's watched feverishly these past few years.

Which minor leaguers in the Pirates organization elected free agency?

• RHP Luis Cessa
• RHP Ben Heller
• RHP Daulton Jefferies
• RHP Jose Maldonado
• RHP Isaac Mattson
• RHP Connor Sadzeck
• RHP Aaron Shortridge
• RHP Beau Sulser
• RHP Brad Case
• RHP Cristofer Melendez
• LHP Brady Feigl
• LHP Geronimo Franzua
• LHP Michael Plassmeyer
• LHP Josh Walker
• LHP Blake Townsend
• C Grant Koch
• C Abrahan Gutierrez
• 1B Seth Beer
• 1B Jake Lamb
• SS Francisco Acuna
• OF Yoyner Fajardo
• OF P.J. Hilson

Out of all of these players, just five of them made appearances in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season. Those were Ben Heller, Daulton Jefferies, Isaac Mattson, Brady Feigl, and Grant Koch. Although guys like Koch and Feigl were on the big-league Pirates, their departures do not mean much to the organization. Let's examine four significant players that have become free agents.

Jake Lamb : First Base

After a hot start in April, batting .360 with an OPS of .982 and 10 runs driven in, many fans wanted Lamb to be the Pirates' starting first baseman over a struggling Rowdy Tellez. He never would get called up, and instead fell off in the second half, but he was a significant name in Indianapolis last season and a 2017 All-Star with the Diamondbacks who likely won't be back in 2025.

Ben Heller : Right-Handed Pitcher

Heller was a veteran arm who saw time in Pittsburgh's bullpen. He earned his callup, as he was showing a strong pitch repertoire in Indianapolis, but when he made it to the majors, he crumbled, posting an 11.25 earned run average in 12 innings pitched. Fans will be happy he is out of the organization.

Luis Cessa : Right-Handed Pitcher

Luis Cessa never made an appearance in Pittsburgh, but he is a pitcher who has thrown over 400 innings in the big leagues. In Triple-A, Cessa posted a 5.26 earned run average with a WHIP of 1.41. He is a very notable name leaving the organization, despite never reaching the MLB level with the Pirates.

Daulton Jefferies : Right-Handed Pitcher

Lastly is Daulton Jefferies, an arm that saw some innings in Pittsburgh, but suffered injuries and missed a lot of time. He had an earned run average of 6.30 and a WHIP of 1.20. Jefferies is not some star that we are missing, but he did appear with the Pirates in 2024.