How Pirates NRI’s Could Help in 2024

3/5/2024 – Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN

Every year, the baseball calendar begins with Spring Training, and along with the games in Florida and Arizona comes opportunities for players not on 40-man rosters to showcase what they could offer their big league clubs when the regular season rolls around.

Yes, this also pertains to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and with only so many roster spots available, and some real players in those spots unlike past seasons, non-roster invitees have that much more pressure to show off their skills, and prowess, in games that don’t matter for wins and losses, but could matter in decision making for the roster as a whole.

The Pirates had 26 NRIs or Non Roster Invitees, at Spring Training just yesterday afternoon, and as expected that number has already decreased to 22.

First, here is the list of reassignments that the team made yesterday. Andres Alvarez, Anthony Solometo, Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler were all sent to minor league camp. Jackson Wolf was also optioned to AA Altoona, but he doesn’t count here, being that he is on the 40-man.

So we won’t cover every NRI who’s been here, or even a few who remain in this piece. Just doesn’t feel worth the time for me or you but I do want to mention them.

Sergio Alcantara, Chase Andrerson, Carter Bins, Jake Brannigan, Abrahan Guiterrez, Jake Lamb, Kade McClure, Billy McKinney, Michael Plassmeyer, Ryder Ryan, Connor Sadzeck and Sean Sullivan.

The rest of the group has either real potential or makes sense to have a shot at making the big league roster, so lets take a look at some potential contributors from the NRI group.

Jared Jones

I think this list has to start with Jared Jones, due in part to having a high likelihood of big league time, and soon.

Jones enters 2024 as a top-100 prospect in all of baseball, for good reason, seeing as his 2023 campaign saw him take lift-off through the Pirates system.

His 3.85 ERA in 126.1 IP last year was impressive, and along with a career high 146 strikeouts, its no shock to see Jones get some national recognition.

Jones has appeared in Spring twice as well so far at the time of writing, posting two strikeouts in 2.2 IP while pumping the velocity well into the high 90s with ease.

Don’t worry, the former second round selection will be apart of Pittsburgh’s big league roster at some point, just not Opening Day, seeing as the changeup still has some improvements needed alongside the lethal fastball, slider combination that Jones already possesses.

Jones development in AAA and improvements on his third pitch will determine his timetable for a debut, but of this group, I am confident in saying Jones has the best chance to make the most impact in 2024 of the group of NRIs.

Paul Skenes

Of course I have to mention the third-ranked prospect in all of baseball on this list as well, and that’s potentially generational prospect, Paul Skenes.

Skenes, much like Jones, has appeared twice in Spring so far, throwing three innings, striking out three and allowing one run across.

Skenes calling card was his velocity coming from Baton Rogue and Air Force previously, and he’s touched 102mph already and 100mph multiple times, so the velocity will never be the issue for Skenes.

His fastball-slider combination will dominate in the minor leagues, but his development, much like Jones, will be determined on his ability to progress a third pitch into his arsenal, so expect a bunch of changeup work from Skenes in the minor leagues in 2024.

Plenty believe Skenes will debut at some point this season, but the Pirates will likely show a willingness to take their time with their top selection before throwing him into the fire that is MLB, but Skenes talent alone will warrant the conversation nonetheless.

I wouldn’t be shocked either way in terms of Skenes debuting in 2024, but the Pirates have a potential gem in their system along with plenty of other strong arms, so the Pirates have something brewing in the future outlook of the rotation with Skenes headlining.

Wily Peralta

Shifting away from prospects for a moment, we look at Wily Peralta, who to many wasn’t the sexiest acquisition, but he’s looked impressive in his first action since 2022.

Peralta was solid in 2022 with Detroit, posting a 2.58 ERA over 38.1 IP that season, but questions surround him due to his lack of game action last year.

So far, Peralta has answered the call in spring, throwing three scoreless innings of work thus far while showing some good stuff, and with his veteran presence(34), he could be a good depth option for the Pirates bullpen group.

Do I think Peralta is more than that? No, but injuries happen over the course of a MLB season, especially to bullpens, so if he can be valuable depth, which he’s shown he can do before, he’s got a shot to at least get some meaningful big league action this year if the Pirates need him.

Anthony Solometo

Before we speak about Anthony Solometo, I want to make it clear that I don’t think he breaks the big league roster this year, but man is he arguably one of the most important prospects the Pirates have right now.

The 21-year old lefty had a banner season last year in the minors, taking a considerable leap from his 2022 production and flashing some of the stuff that made him a over slot second-round selection in 2021.

Solometo also slotted into MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 this year, and his importance as a left-handed pitcher cannot be understated with how recent offseason’s have gone for Pittsburgh as far as obtaining left-handed pitching via free agency or trade.

The youngster has a chance to buck that trend, hopefully, I just don’t think he does it this season, but that doesn’t mean his opportunities in camp mean nothing, and his improvements and developments will surely mean a ton in the coming seasons.

Ben Heller

Now we shift a bit here to the other NRI pitchers, and these next few may not be the names that pop off the page, but they are, and were, brought in for a reason, for valuable depth.

Ben Heller can surely offer that, seeing as the right-hander has a 3.06 ERA in 50 career big league innings and has one of the nastiest sliders you’ll ever see.

He didn’t see much big league action last season with Tampa Bay, but his efficiency over the nine games he pitched cannot be understated.

His 2.00 ERA and four holds along with his 10 strikeouts and zero walks were nice for a Rays team that needed bullpen depth, so if Heller can stay healthy and keep the slider pumping, he could be in for a slew of call-ups if the Pirates need his services due to injury of lack of performance.

Hunter Stratton

How about a guy who’s been here already and is finally beginning to take shape?

I’m talking Hunter Stratton, who’s been with Pittsburgh since being selected in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and has seen action in every level of the Pirates minor league system.

Stratton, who’s only 27, has plenty of time ahead of him to be an impactful player for the Pirates, and he’s had an impressive spring thus far, pitching four shutout innings while striking out five.

Stratton has some MLB time as well, pitching in eight career games while posting a 2.25 ERA, so its unknown if Stratton can crack the Opening Day roster, but he surely can be valuable depth for a bullpen that has top-10 potential in baseball.

Brent Honeywell Jr.

As of right now, the only NRI on Pittsburgh projected depth chart via FanGraphs is Brent Honeywell Jr., and honestly, he’s got the stuff to do it.

Honeywell Jr. has seen plenty of big league action with Tampa Bay, Chicago and San Diego, appearing in 43 games and 56.2 IP while posting a 5.08 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks.

Fun fact, he’s also from Augusta, Georgia, where I grew up, just wanted to throw that in there.

Honeywell Jr. has the stuff to be a big league reliever, he just hasn’t ever truly put it all together just yet.

I don’t agree with FanGraphs in that he’ll break the Opening Day roster, I think Stratton has something to say about that, but once again, like the other pitchers on this list, Honeywell Jr. can at least offer the Pirates a big league arm if they need him at any point.

Gilberto Celestino

Outside of Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski, the Pirates outfield situation in right field doesn’t exactly scream consistency, with the likes of Connor Joe, Joshua Palacios and Edward Olivares all gunning for the position.

Of that group of three, one, or maybe two, will likely occupy the fourth outfield spot, but the Pirates do have an intriguing group of NRI outfielders to keep an eye on, starting with Gilberto Celestino.

Only 25, Celestino has already seen 370 career MLB ABs, posting a .592 OPS in that time.

He has looked good in spring though, posting a 1.063 OPS in 16 ABs thus far, but Celestino hasn’t seen big league action since 2022.

His defense could be the reason he ends up getting some big league action this season, as he posted a 2 OAA, 4 fielding value and 93rd percentile arm strength in that 2022 season, so if Olivares or Palacios go down or don’t perform to an adequate level, the Pirates could look to Celestino for reinforcement over a short time.

Joe Perez

Joe Perez was acquired late last season after the Houston Astros released him, and he got an invite to spring this year with hopes to showcase what he can do.

Perez has been an adequate minor league player so far in his career, posting a .789 OPS with 52 HR and 197 RBIs. He even had a 19-game on-base streak with the Pirates system last year, so he’s been making the most of the opportunities given to him.

He’s dealt with injuries and the pandemic in his career, but of which have stunted his development a bit, but his defensive versatility along with not being too far removed from being a top-10 prospect in the Astros system makes him an intriguing look in spring and beyond.

If Perez can manage to stay healthy and continue to develop, he could build himself into a solid 4th outfielder with versatility to move to other positions, its just a wait and see for a guy the Pirates are taking a shot on.

Matt Gorski

Lastly, we look at Matt Gorski, who is also a long-term staple in the Pirates system.

Apart of Neil Huntington’s final draft class of 2019, the former second round selection has a .763 OPS and 64 homers, so he’s showcased some power in his minor league time.

2022 was his strongest season, posting a .956 OPS that year, but Gorski failed to take the next step last season when many expected he might make his debut.

Age and injuries have been the biggest obstacles to Gorski making the big-league jump, if he can step up, stay healthy and be consistent in 2024, its possible Gorski jumps onto the roster as a backup outfielder with some pop, but the rest of the outfield set-up could lead to a blockage for Gorski to get his opportunity.

These NRIs won’t move the needle completely for the Pirates being a contender in the Central this year, but injuries and many other factors could lead these guys into real opportunities to help a team looking to take the next step after a 76-win season.