Pittsburgh Pirates: Pre-camp bullpen picture with NRI options
Breaking down the reliever picture heading into camp, with 40-man and NRI options
With pitchers and catchers reporting in two weeks, here’s a look at the current bullpen picture, with all options on the 40-man and the non-roster invitees (that we know of).
40-MAN ROSTER
Locks
David Bednar (2)
Caleb Ferguson* (0)
Colin Holderman (3)
Tim Mayza* (0)
These seem like the logical choices for players who should have a bullpen spot secured heading into camp. It would have been nice to add a reliever who could be a de facto fallback option if Bednar struggles again, but they could always go by committee.
Mayza is a new addition, and he’s coming off a rough season. However, he signed a major league deal and doesn’t have any other options. I’d be surprised if he didn’t make the team.
Probable Locks
Carmen Mlodzinski (2)
Kyle Nicolas (2)
Dennis Santana (0)
Santana was the team’s best reliever down the stretch last year (along with Aroldis Chapman), so it would take a huge implosion for him not to make the team out of camp. Nicolas is in a tricky situation. You could see a scenario where he takes some of the ninth-inning work from Bednar if he struggles based on the stuff alone, but he could also get optioned due to the control issues.
Possible Overflow from 5th Starter
Braxton Ashcraft (2)
Mike Burrows (1)
Johan Oviedo (1)
I really like the idea of Ashcraft as a reliever. He brings stuff and control, and I think the fastball will just play better in shorter stints. Maybe you start him out as a multi-inning guy to take advantage of him being a starter before fully transitioning him into a late-inning reliever.
Others
Elvis Alvarado (3) (was DFAd)
Brett de Geus (2)
Dauri Moreta (1) (injured)
Chase Shugart (2)
Peter Strzelecki (0)
Joey Wentz* (0)
Wentz pitched well down the stretch for the Pirates, but he’s arguably the third-best lefty reliever on the 40-man roster now. Shugart has an interesting sweeper, and Alvarado has a fastball that can reach triple-digits.
There’s intrigue here, but most will likely fall victim to having options available. Some (Strzelecki) may not even make it to camp.
NOTE: Alvarado was designated for assignment to make room for Adam Frazier.
NON-ROSTER INVITEES (SO FAR)
Ryan Borucki*
Carson Fulmer
Isaac Mattson
Tanner Rainey
Yohan Ramirez
Yerry Rodriguez
Burch Smith
Hunter Stratton
Eddy Yean
Carson Fulmer is really interesting, at least to me, as is Mattson and Eddy Yean. If he’s healthy, and there’s a video of him throwing off a mound, Stratton has the inside track to be an NRI guy to make the team.
This site is 100% reader-supported, with no revenue coming from ads. If you enjoy our work, consider becoming a paid member today.
You will not only help the site grow but also get access to our fantastic premium content, which includes our Top 25 rankings and full-player write-ups, video breakdowns, and any features that come from my on-site trips.
Bucs On Deck is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The striking part of this to me, which made me want to make a categorized list out of it, was realizing that they have seven spots probably locked up. Apart from injury or a massive spring meltdown, the only reasonably plausible scenario I can see where one of those seven doesn't make the team is Nicolas not being able to throw strikes. So that leaves one spot open, with two on-the-cusp 40-man guys (as of now) out of options.
Not sure this is a good situation. Cherington has pointed out that good relievers can just pop up out of nowhere, which is true enough. But you need the ability to sort through a mob like this, which often means being able to option this guy and call that guy up. One of the reasons for the pop-up phenomenon is that AAA performance often doesn't translate to the bigs. If, say, Tanner Rainey has great numbers at Indy, it may just be because he's appeared in 198 big league games and AAA hitters are no challenge.
I think fans will fear this ensemble of relievers more than opposing batters.