Pirates Minor Leaguers Become Free Agents

by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 17, 2009 3:51 PM EST

A bunch of Pirates minor leaguers have become free agents. Indulge your inner minor-league geek here:

Pittsburgh

Pitchers: RHP Jason Davis, RHP Eric Hacker, LHP Corey Hamman, RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, RHP Jorge Julio, LHP Bobby Livingston, RHP Juan Mateo, RHP Scott Nestor, RHP Jeremy Powell, RHP Dionis Rodriguez, RHP Ty Taubenheim, RHP Virgil Vasquez

Catchers: Hector Gimenez, Steven Lerud, Miguel Perez, Milver Reyes, Steven Suarez

Infielders: Chris Barnwell, Josh Bonifay, Tagg Bozied, Larry Broadway, Ray Chang, Angel Gonzalez, Pedro Lopez, Brian Myrow, Jamie Romak

Outfielders: Victor Igsema, Jonel Pacheco

This list includes a few vaguely interesting guys:

Eric Hacker came over from the Yankees in exchange for Romulo Sanchez and made his big league debut late this year after performing rather disappointingly at Indianapolis. Still, he'd be nice to have around this year.

Juan Mateo has a good performance record and has been a good soldier for the past couple years in Altoona and Indianapolis; it was mildly strange that he never got a chance with the Pirates when it seemed like every player on the Indy staff was getting a callup.

Steve Lerud has been just off the prospect radar forever; he's now 25, hasn't realized the bit of power potential he seemed to have, and can't hit for average. Too bad; lefty catchers with power have lots of value.

Tagg Bozied and Brian Myrow were among the most talented hitters at Indianapolis this year and many projection systems rate them fairly highly, but they're older minor league vets and will be lucky to get another chance in the big leagues no matter where they end up.

I had hopes for Jamie Romak who, until Pedro Alvarez arrived, was probably the best power prospect in the Pirates' system, but he quashed them with a horrible year at Altoona and then Lynchburg.

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Comments

Working down through the full list...

…very, very slowly.

Anyone else totally forget that Juan Perez ever pitched for us?

by Vlad on Nov 17, 2009 4:22 PM EST reply actions

I think I remember watching him at the end of the year Freddy won the batting title. He pitched at least part of an inning at Wrigley.

by Suffering Buc on Nov 17, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

He actually had really good stuff for a lefty. It’s been a while since I thought about that guy, though.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 17, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, I remembered him well enough...

…once I saw the profile. I was just surprised that I’d forgotten about him so completely before seeing his name.

by Vlad on Nov 17, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Do these guys have to declare for Free Agency? Seems weird that Josh Bonifay would bother since he hasn’t played in years and I believe is actually coaching somewhere in the system now.

by ElDuce on Nov 17, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions

Bonifay...

…was on the coaching staff of our GCL affiliate this season.

by Vlad on Nov 17, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Bonifay

You might be thinking of Jim Tracy’s son, he was drafted and promptly retired and went to coaching

by bishopmp1 on Nov 17, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Posted this in the other 6YFA thread...

…but I’d like to get my hands on Ernesto Mejia.

by Vlad on Nov 17, 2009 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Vlad

I bet you have a calendar in your bedroom marked with the dates of the Baseball Winter Meetings in December and the time of the Rule V draft circled.

by patthatt on Nov 17, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions

No...

…but only because I can remember it w/o using one.

by Vlad on Nov 18, 2009 6:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

gasp

VV a FA?

Oh, noes!

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 17, 2009 8:55 PM EST reply actions

i still remember

the headline on pirates.com last year that said “Bucs sign Vasquez” and I thought it was Javier…

by BurgherKing on Nov 17, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

No noteworthy names there, though as a patron of Indianapolis games I’m glad to see Larry Broadway go. He had no discernible skill and even for minor-league filler was painful to watch.

http://fanhuddle.com/pittsburghpirates

by Nate Rose on Nov 17, 2009 9:22 PM EST reply actions

Bonifay Cut???

Another vindictive move by the new front office. He and Neil Walker were the future! I am so done with this team….EXTREME Sarcasm

by GeneClines on Nov 17, 2009 9:58 PM EST reply actions

Romak was one of the Pirates top 10 prospects last year. Now he’s a minor league FA. That was a bad minor league system.

by wickethewok on Nov 18, 2009 1:41 AM EST reply actions

I saw Ray Chang play a few times for the Curve this year. I know he was old for the level, but he seemed like a pretty solid player for the most part. Good average and OPS and seemed like he could handle shortstop pretty well.

by curvefan on Nov 18, 2009 4:37 AM EST reply actions