Pirates add two on minor league deals

Some very minor news to get people ranting . . . .

Pirates Prospects is reporting (sub. req’d) that the Pirates have signed catcher Jackson Williams and right-handed pitcher John Stilson to minor league deals.

Williams was with the Pirates last year, seeing time with both Altoona and Indianapolis, although he got into only 55 games total. He had just a .525 OPS overall, which is typical of what he’s hit the last few years. He’s a solid defensive catcher and figures to serve again as a backup in AA or AAA, as needed.

Stilson was a third-round draft pick of the Jays back in 2011. He looked like a pretty good prospect at first, but moved to the bullpen in 2013. That boosted his fastball to the mid-90s and he also throws a slider and change that both were considered good pitches, at least a while ago. He’s been a solid reliever in AAA, but has never gotten a callup. He figures to provide depth in AAA.