Breaking down the battle for the final spot on the Pirate bench

One battle that is heating up in Pirate camp is the battle for the final spot on the bench

The Pirate roster is starting to take shape. To be honest, there were not a ton of true question marks around the roster entering Spring Training. Even when looking back at three key position battles we identified entering the spring, a lot of the players involved in that battle looked like safe bets to make the roster, the only real questions were around how they would be utilized.

One of the biggest battles for a roster spot is for the final spot on the Pirate bench. Three of the four spots appear to be pretty locked up. The question then becomes, who will secure the fourth and final bench spot for the Bucs?

Three of four spots appear locked up

It comes as no surprise, but offseason free agent addition Yasmani Grandal will be on the team. The veteran catcher was brought in for his leadership in the clubhouse and ability to mentor the young Pirate catchers, as well as what he can do behind and at the plate.

The Pirates have yet to officially announce Henry Davis as the team's starting catcher. However, with how impressive Davis has been at the plate and with his defense this spring, it's hard to envision the former no. 1 overall pick not winning the job.

Assuming Davis wins the job, Grandal takes a bench spot as the backup catcher. Even if Davis fails to do so, a bench spot still goes to another catcher. Regardless, a second catcher will have one of four available bench spots.

Whoever does not win the job at second base between Jared Triolo and Liover Peguero will also have a spot on the bench. Even with his strong start to the spring, Triolo still looks like the odd man out there. Peguero's four starts at second base through the team's first nine Grapefruit Legue games is more than anyone else. Also, Triolo is better suited for a utilty role.

Finally, there is whoever is not starting at first base. If all goes according to plan, Rowdy Tellez will start at first base against right-handed pitching with Connor Joe getting the nod when there is a lefty on the mound. Joe could also see time in right field against righties.