Young talent ignites spring training, forcing tough decisions as multiple Pittsburgh Pirates battle for scarce bench spots.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ stock of hitters has been so threadbare in recent years that they have had a hard time finding legitimate major-league players to fill their four bench spots.
This spring, however, that’s changed. Multiple players are making strong cases for a reserve spot on the opening-day roster.
“I think if those decisions are harder all the time and we start to think of good players going to Triple-A who are going to be unhappy about it,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told reporters at his team’s spring training camp in Bradenton, Fla. “We're not rooting for them to be unhappy, but it's probably a good position for us to be in, if that's the case.”
One player making a good first impression is rookie outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in an offseason trade. “The Password” is hitting .500/.571/.667 with a double, a home run, and three stolen bases in 24 at-bats in the Grapefruit League.
Similarly, Garcia’s performance has caught the attention of Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly.
“I believe that he’s gotten better in swing decisions,” Kelly told reporters in Bradenton. “Something that he targeted coming in, that he’s done a really good job of battling with two strikes, trying to eliminate as much chase outside of the strike zone. He’s done that this camp, and I think that, along with the outfield defense, is something that has stood out.”
After brief stints with the Pirates over the past two seasons, rookie infielder/outfielder Nick Yorke is hoping to make the team out of spring training. Yorke is currently hitting .269/.345/.462 in 26 at-bats, with a triple, a homer, and two steals.
Yorke underscored his intentions at last season’s end, making it clear he would arrive in Bradenton with purpose this spring.
“Nick Yorke is someone who stated his case, saying in his exit meeting,” Cherington said. “He said his goal was to walk away, making your decision really hard this season.”
Switch-hitting outfielder Jake Mangum, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in December, was expected to make the team and has strengthened his case by hitting .320/.370/.440 over 25 at-bats with a double, a triple, two steals, and outstanding defense.
Two players have reestablished themselves this spring: Billy Cook (.300/.481/.550, 2 doubles, 1 HR in 20 AB) and Alika Williams (.263/.333/.474, 1 double, 1 HR in 19 AB).
Last season, Cook received just six at-bats with Pittsburgh due to injuries. Williams, after playing 83 games with the Pirates across 2023 and 2024, spent all of last year at Triple-A Indianapolis.
A new player to the competition is infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan, who Pittsburgh got in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds last week.
“Generally speaking, we know that we're going to have difficult decisions to make,” Cherington said. “We want people to be making those decisions hard for us, certainly. Part of our goal this offseason was not just to add the more proven bats, but really to create more depth, more competition inside that group where there's fighting for jobs, fighting for opportunities.”
Pirates Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Pirates. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.