Pittsburgh Pirates: Position Players Non-Roster Invitees to Watch in Spring Training

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A pair of position players who were signed as minor league free agents and will be non-roster invitees to spring training could see playing time with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season

Yesterday, we took a look at three non-roster invitee pitchers to watch in spring training. Today, we will take a look at a pair of non-roster invitee position players to watch with the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring.

Well neither of these players are likely to crack the team's Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, they both should be able to put themselves in position to contribute to the team in 2024. So, let's dive into two intriguing position player non-roster invitees to watch in spring training.

Corner Infielder/Outfielder Jake Lamb

Last season, Jake Lamb played in the majors with the Los Angeles Angels. Lamb had 54 plate appearances in 19 games played, hitting for a .216/.259/.353 slash line with a 64 wRC+ and a 65 OPS+. Lamb hit 2 home runs, a double, and posted a 0.1 WAR while posting a +2 Defensive Runs Saved at first base.

In his MLB career Lamb has played first base, third base, left field, and right field. The 10-year MLB veteran owns a lifetime DRS of 0 at first base and in left field, to go with a -1 DRS at third base and -3 DRS in left field.

For his career, Lamb is a .235/.326/.427 hitter with a 97 wRC+, 97 OPS+, 11.1% walk rate, and a 26.0% strikeout rate in 2650 PAs in 724 games played. Lamb was an All-Star with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017.

Lamb spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Diamondbacks. He started year seven with the D-Backs, before being traded to the Oakland A's. Lamb then split the 2021 season between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, 2022 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners, then, as mentioned above, spent last season back in LA with the Angels.

When Lamb is at his best he brings power and high on-base skills to a MLB lineup. These two things combined with his ability to play both corner infield and outfield positions could make him intriguing to a MLB club. While barring injuries this spring Lamb is unlikely to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, it would not be a surprise to see him find himself in the majors with the Pirates at some point this season.

Outfielder Billy McKinney

On December 14th, the Pirates acquired outfielder Billy McKinney from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. This came after McKinney was removed from the Yankee 40-man roster earlier in the offseason, and elected free agency before re-signing with the Bronx Bombers as a minor league free agent.

McKinney had 147 PAs in 48 games played with the Yankees last season. The left-handed hitting outfielder hit for a .227/.20/.406 slash line with a 101 wRC+, 98 OPS+, 11.6% walk rate, and a 26.5% strikeout rate in those 147 PAs.

In a MLB career that dates back to 2018, McKinney has played for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Dodgers, and the A's. McKinney owns a .209/.284/.390 slash line with an 81 wRC+, 82 OPS+, 9.1% walk rate, and 26.2% strikeout rate in 915 PAs in 311 career games played.

McKinney is the prototypical fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield positions, is a plus defender, and is a below average offensive player. Like Lamb, barring spring injuries McKinney will not start the season on the Pirate major league roster. However, it would not be a surprise to see him in the majors with the Bucs at some point in 2024.

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