Non-Roster Invitees To Watch

I wrote a short feature on the Pirates' non-roster invitees for SB Nation Pittsburgh.

3 months ago Charlie Wilmoth 11 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Thanks for the writeup, Ill be attending a few spring training games this year and am excited to see most of these players. I know theres no exact dates when Cole will be in spring training, but why do you think he wont be there long? Just to many other pitchers to work out??

Also Im going to go out on a limb and say you are Pete and Sams brother? Grew up with them in at Triadelphia and Park, ran cross country with Sam. I live in Florida now, and have been reading this site for a few years now and never realized who actually managed the site until now. Keep up the good work and I miss WV and Pittsburgh every day.

by FloridaPirates on Feb 18, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions

First-round draft picks from the previous year — at least those who are drafted out of college — are typically invited to big-league Spring Training in their first full year, and they never last long. I think the idea is to give them a taste of big-league life, but typically there’s no expectation they might make the team, so it’s better to just send them to minor-league camp after a couple weeks.

Yes, Pete and Sam are my brothers! That’s cool, I went to Triadelphia and Park as well, obviously a few years before you.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Bradenton

is one of the more unique spring training locations around, it has the feel of a ballpark of another era. It’s right off a main four lane road in downtown Bradenton, the main parking area is past the outfield. The stadium itself is so close to the main road, people driving during the games must be alert for foul balls, especially from the third base side.

I still remember going there in 1976 with my dad and the Bucs defeated the Reds, as Parker, Stargell, and Oliver went deep. Good times, this was at least 15 years before they remodeled the facility.

by SteelStealth on Feb 18, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Good piece

Better than the one at BP.

I think Anderson Hernandez has a good chance of making the team, unfortunately.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 18, 2012 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Really, why?

I would think they’d just carry the rule 5 guy if Hurdle insists on carrying a Ciriaco type.

by maguro on Feb 18, 2012 8:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think it’s going to be between Nunez and Hernandez.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 18, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

You don’t think Navarro has a shot, then?

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 19, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

Can’t speak for WTM, but I don’t get the impression they see him as a true SS.

by Vlad on Feb 20, 2012 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

Me neither, but he doesn’t really need to be one to be a UT.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 20, 2012 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Nice rundown

I agree w/ preferring Anderson over Nunez, who I fear would turn into a Ciraco-like waste of a bench spot.

Rooting for Evans, but could see Fox too. Anyone know how his C defense is? With Barajas’ age and limitations, it would be nice to have a backup who could hit a little.

by VanSlick on Feb 19, 2012 8:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Anyone know how his C defense is?

Very poor. Bad enough that you probably couldn’t get away with carrying him as a primary backup catcher, though he’d work as a third catcher who only catches during emergencies.

by Vlad on Feb 19, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions