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When it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates' prospect pipeline, much of the conversation typically revolves around up-and-coming pitchers like Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft. However, in Bleacher Report's list of each MLB team's most MLB-ready prospect entering the 2025 season, it's second baseman Nick Yorke who earns the nod for the Pirates.
The Pirates acquired Yorke from the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester. Yorke reported to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he slashed .355/.431/.507 in 40 games before receiving a September call-up to make his MLB debut with the Pirates. He appeared in 11 Major League games with Pittsburgh, tallying eight hits and two home runs.
Yorke remains on the Pirates' 40-man roster and is expected to compete with Nick Gonzales for the starting second base job this spring. Regardless, it seems he has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues and can be, at the very least, a high-upside utility piece off the bench for the Pirates in 2025.
Former Pirates pitcher Jake Woodford signs minor-league deal with Rockies
Right-hander Jake Woodford, who spent the majority of the 2024 season with the Pirates organization, has agreed to a non-roster (minor-league) deal with the Colorado Rockies for the 2025 season.
Woodford, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015, was designated for assignment by the White Sox in early June. He elected free agency and signed a minor-league deal with Pittsburgh shortly thereafter. The Pirates selected his contract in July, just after the trade deadline, and he went on to make five starts and two relief outings for the club.
Woodford pitched to an ugly 7.09 ERA during his stint with the Pirates and was eventually outrighted off of the roster near the end of the season. He elected minor-league free agency once the season was over, and will now get his next opportunity with the Rockies. Woodford's contract includes a non-roster invitation to spring training, where he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Major League rotation or bullpen.
Pirates announce non-roster invitees for Major League spring training
Speaking of non-roster invitees, the Pirates announced theirs Monday. Pittsburgh will invite a total of 13 non-roster players to participate in big league camp – three infielders, an outfielder, a catcher and eight right-handed pitchers.
The following 13 players will attend Major League camp as non-roster invitees: pic.twitter.com/aeERVH0a9n
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 13, 2025
Pitchers Carson Fulmer, Isaac Mattson, Tanner Rainey and Yerry Rodríguez; infielders Nick Solak and Darick Hall; and catcher Abrahan Gutierrez were all signed to minor-league deals by the Pirates earlier in the offseason. Pitcher Hunter Stratton was non-tendered by the Pirates in November before ultimately re-signing with the club, though he will likely spend the majority of the 2025 season rehabbing from a ruptured patella he suffered Aug. 24 against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Pirates' 40-man roster is currently at 36, so there is room for up to four of these non-roster invitees to earn a spot with an impressive spring. It's also very possible that Pittsburgh isn't done making moves in free agency and could still make at least one more Major League signing (hopefully an outfield bat) before spring training opens.
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