Battling Bucs : Lengthening The Roster: The 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates

Some may question whether the 2015 Pirates are better than the 2014 version and that is a worthwhile question whose answer is mainly a matter of opinion. However there is one aspect of the 2015 team which is unquestionably better than its counterpart on the 2014 team and that is the length and depth of the roster. The Pirates projected roster 1-25 is a deep group with few glaring weaknesses but it goes even beyond that as the Pirates will likely have a large group of serviceable players waiting in AAA should the need arise. These players are often overlooked in analyses about how good this team will be and that is reasonable because we don't know who will be called upon but without a doubt some of these guys will surely be needed.
Before we look at the Pirates depth we first need to figure out just what the likely construction of the 25 man roster is so I'm going to post my belief as to what it will look like.
C: Francisco Cervelli
1B: Pedro Alvarez
2B: Neil Walker
3B: Josh Harrison
SS: Jordy Mercer
LF: Starling Marte
CF: Andrew McCutchen
RF: Gregory Polanco
C: Chris Stewart
1B/OF: Corey Hart
IF: Jung-ho Kang
OF: Travis Snider
U: Sean Rodriguez
SP: Gerrit Cole
SP: Francisco Liriano
SP: AJ Burnett
SP: Vance Worley
SP: Charlie Morton
LR: Jeff Locke
MR: Radhames Liz
MR: Stolmy Pimentel
MR: Antonio Bastardo
SU: John Holdzkom
SU: Tony Watson
CL: Mark Melancon
That is a deep and talented 25 man roster that only a handful of teams can match or better. Behind them though is a large group of players who in past years would at the very least be competing for a roster spot and also a few prospects that could have an impact some time this season.
Catcher
Tony Sanchez: We all know the back story of Sanchez but regardless of what you may think of him he is a high quality third catcher. He has shown enough offensive skills that he could be an average hitter in the majors and his defensive reputation is for the most part solid. To expand on the defensive part he is considered a good game caller, a great blocker and an average pitch framer. Of course there is one part of his game that is well below average, his throwing arm/ caught stealing. Sanchez has major problems controlling the running game and for that reason will start the season in AAA.
Sebestian Valle: This is probably about as interesting as a minor league free agent catcher is going to get. Valle isn't far removed from his prospect days as he still is only 24 years old and he comes with a good defensive reputation and plus power for a catcher. He is also coming off a very strong showing in winter ball. Of course there has to be an issue with him since he came so cheaply and it’s his horrible plate discipline. He walks hardly at all and strikes out a good deal not a good combination. Still Valle makes for a very intriguing 4th catcher and comes with a bit of youth and upside.
Elias Diaz: The prospect of the group, Diaz is considered the heir apparent to the catching position in Pittsburgh. Diaz has a stellar defensive reputation and over the last two years in the minors has shown quite a deal with the bat. There are still doubts about just how good of a hitter he will be but with a little seasoning and success in AAA Diaz could be ready for the majors as soon as the middle of this season.
Corner Infielders
Tony Sanchez: Back to Sanchez for a minute his problems controlling the running game and the emergence of Diaz have made the Pirates start working Sanchez out at first base. He doesn't have a lot of potential as his bat is probably at best just average but should the fragile Hart falter Sanchez could provide a respectable safety net as the short side of the platoon.
Deibinson Romero: Another interesting minor league free agent Romero garnered some attention by being the top projected minor league free agent according to Steamer. He has never played in the majors leagues but has been solid the last two years in AAA. Romero doesn't stand out in any aspect but he has no glaring weaknesses either. He is a 3B but can also play 3B meaning he has the potential to serve as the righty part of the 1B platoon or as a more traditional bench player if needed.
Brent Morel: The much maligned Brant Morel returns this year but this time a good deal farther down on the depth chart. We know he doesn't have any kind of a bat but he is a solid defensive player. He has played primarily 3B in his career but can also play 1B and kind of fake 2B. With where he is on the depth chart the Pirates could do far worse than Morel should the need arise to reach down this far.
Andrew Lambo: Probably the most advanced and major league ready of all the depth players on this list Lambo seems ready for at least a major league bench role but there is simply no room for him in Pittsburgh. Over an extended stretch his bat would probably be at least league average with the potential for more. As a left handed player capable of playing 1B Lambo is likely the primary fall back to Alvarez should his transition not go smoothly.
Stetson Allie: The prospect of this group Allie possess as much raw power as any player in the system. Just returning to hitting in 2012 Allie is still obviously rather raw but there is significant upside here. If he gets a shot at AAA to begin this season (not a given considering the depth) Allie could put himself in position for a mid season call up with a strong showing. He could either platoon with Alvarez if Hart proves ineffective or less likely but still possible get a full time shot if Alvarez falters.
Middle Infield
Jake Elmore: He hasn't had much success in the majors but Elmore has been roughly an average hitter the last two years in AAA and as a middle infielder that is a strong performance. Elmore belongs to the select group of player who has played all 9 positions in the majors meaning he can basically literally play anywhere if needed. He is not a strong defensive shortstop but he can fake it there. Steamer has him projected at an 85 wRC+ this year which considering what our middle infield depth did last year would be a big boost should he be needed.
Justin Sellers: Something of a middle ground here Sellers is good defender but has a weak bat. It isn't as bad as what we had to deal with last year in Michael Martinez but it isn't greatly better either. As a depth reserve infielder Sellers was a solid pick up by the Pirates this year.
Pedro Florimon: Out of options Florimon in my current projection would have to clear waivers to serve as depth but I don't see that as a major issue. He is essentially at the opposite end of the spectrum of Elmore as he is a very good defensive shortstop but he can't hit basically at all. Essentially he is a better defensive version of Michael Martinez which is of course something we really don't won't have to dip to but having an all glove guy to call on as a reserve if injuries happen isn't the worst thing in the world.
Alen Hanson: The top prospect of this group, we all know about Hanson. Up until last year he was the top shortstop prospect in the Pirates system but as an offense first player he struggled defensively at the position and was moved to 2B. His bat is good enough to play at 2B so while this hurts his value it doesn't completely drop him from top prospect status. Hanson will likely move up to AAA but as of right now there is no clear spot for him in the majors but if the injury prone Walker misses time it is definitely possible that Hanson will be the one called upon to replace him assuming he has proven himself at the AAA level.
Gift Ngoepe: Here we have essentially Pedro Florimon with some upside in his bat. Ngoepe is a very strong defensive shortstop but is still young enough that his bat though poor can't be completely written off. He showed enough progress last year in AA that if they can find the room he could move up to AAA but I think that is going to be rather difficult. Again having an all glove player to call upon if you get really desperate isn't a bad thing.
Outfielders
Andrew Lambo: Back to Lambo, he is likely to serve as the 5th outfielder from AAA and will likely be the first one up if Snider or Polanco suffers injuries (if Marte or Cutch do they may prefer a RH bat with two LH starting outfielders). I don't have much more to add here Lambo is ready for a bench role but there is no room for him but I'm sure he'll see some time in the majors this year.
Jose Tabata: The 41st person on the 40 man roster Tabata's contract essentially allows him to be called up and released with no worries about anyone claiming him. Tabata has shown enough in the majors that he could make some team a solid bench outfielder but no one wants to pay 4 million dollars a year for that when they have cheaper internal options that can do a similar job. Still Tabata is a very good depth right handed hitting outfielder should the Pirates require one at any point this season.
Jaff Decker: Amazingly Decker remains on the roster after not getting a September call up. It looked all but certain he'd be removed but with an option remaining it’s looking likely he'll return for another season. Decker is probably about the typical quality of a next outfielder up from AAA meaning he is more or less a 5th outfielder but for the Pirates he is their 7th outfielder. If there is anything that speaks of the depth it is this. Decker can play all 3 outfield spots reasonably well and is a decent offensive player thanks to very good plate discipline. He isn't an exciting guy but as a guy who would likely only be called upon in the event of 2+ injuries to outfielders he is a very solid player.
Willy Garcia: Garcia is the top prospect of this group. Added to the 40 man roster this offseason the Pirates obviously see something here. Garcia has good power and an excellent arm making him a solid corner outfielder defender. Given the players ahead of him I don't see him playing in the majors this year as likely but he has a lot of potential. The main problem with Garcia is the same problem with Valle but to a worse degree he strikes out a ton and walks very little. He is unlikely to succeed with this combination but at only 22 is still young enough to improve. Ideally he'd be in AAA but there is likely no room for him.
Mel Rojas: Basically another Jaff Decker as far as upside goes Rojas is a solid all around player who can is a switch hitter and can play all 3 outfield positions. He is not a good enough hitter to be an everyday corner outfielder and not a good enough defender to be an everyday center fielder but he could become a nice 4th outfielder some day. As far down as he resides on the depth chart it is highly unlikely he'll see any time in the majors but he is a guy who the Pirates could call up in an emergency and not embarrass himself.
Keon Broxton: Here is the elite defender of the group. The Pirates acquired Broxton on the cheap last Spring Training and he went on to have a very good season in AA. Broxton is a very skilled defensive outfielder who has shown flashes of offensive potential. At 28 he isn't exactly a prospect anymore but he too looks like he has the stuff to be a decent bench outfielder.
Starting Pitchers
Jeff Locke: Breaking my rules here I'm mentioning Locke, a member of the 25 man roster, because he is the Pirates 6th starter and will be the first one called upon to fill in should the need arise. Locke has a chance to begin the year as the Pirates 5th starter with Morton recovering from injury but I could see him just making 1 start as that is all the team will need from a 5th starter in about the first 3 weeks.
Brandon Cumpton: Cumpton will likely begin the year as the top depth starting option in AAA. He has filled in admirably the last two years when called upon and will make a quality 7th starter this year making spot starts when necessary. Beyond this year he probably is destined for the bullpen but another year as a quality depth option likely awaits.
Casey Sadler: Right now there isn't a clear spot for Sadler in the AAA rotation but I suspect he'll find one at least to start the year as he is likely to enter the year as the Pirates 2nd choice for a starter from AAA. He didn't impress in his time in the majors last year but Sadler had a good year in AAA which considering he is the 8th man on the depth chart makes him quite a quality piece.
Clayton Richard: This year's low cost reclamation project Richard will likely be given a chance to put it altogether this year but if disaster strikes in the early season he could be the third man up from AAA. Richard has a few respectable years in the majors as a starter but he was roughed up in 2013 and struggled in the minors last year. He is a project but isn't a terrible option for this far down.
AJ Morris: The Pirates selected Morris in the minor league Rule V draft last year and sent him to AA where he put some very strong numbers. He was promoted to AAA where the numbers weren't as strong but he pitched very briefly there due to an injury. Morris is another pitcher who induces a ton of ground balls and to me is pretty similar to Casey Sadler. With Cumpton and Sadler likely destined for the rotation in AAA and at least two prospects likely taking spots to begin the year there is only maybe one rotation spot open in AAA and it will likely comes down to Richard or Morris. Whoever wins will be the early season emergency starter. Morris is essentially serving the Kris Johnson role from a few years ago.
Jameson Taillon: Finally we reach the prospects. Taillon is without a doubt the top prospect of the group but I'm expecting the Pirates to delay the start of his season to have him avoid pitching in colder weather and to save some innings on his arm. Due to this Taillon probably won't be a factor in the majors to July or August even if he performs well. Still this is a potential top of the rotation arm the Pirates could add.
Nicholas Kingham: Here we have the prospect most likely to significantly contribute to the starting rotation in 2015. Kingham doesn't have the upside of Taillon but he also won't have as severe an inning restriction meaning with a good showing he could be ready to help the major league team in June or July. Kingham looks like a potential mid rotation starter so this is another quality piece waiting.
Adrian Sampson: Beyond the top two lies a third pitching prospect that could help out this year although with the depth in front of him that seems like a long shot. The Pirates have consistently been aggressive with Sampson showing they really like him and he has responded having a very nice season in AA last year. He needs to miss more bats but Sampson looks like a future back of the rotation starter and if needed could fill that role later this season.
Bullpen
Above Starters: All the above starters including even the prospects are candidates to help out in the bullpen if necessary.
Jared Hughes: Probably the most glaring omission from my projected 25 man roster Hughes deserves a place in the bullpen but do to the option game I have him landing on the outside (unless Morton isn't ready to begin the season). In my projected bullpen Locke, Liz and Pimentel are all out of options meaning they have to make the team. Watson, Bastardo and Melancon are all obviously going to make the team meaning the last spot comes down to Holdzkom and Hughes. Holdzkom is the better bet for a set up role so he gets the edge. I know most won't like Pimentel over Hughes but the Pirates didn't go through last year just to cut him now. Hughes with one option remaining will likely serve as the 8th bullpen member and be the first guy called up in case of an injury.
Rob Scahill: The Pirates added a lot of driftwood to the 40 man roster this offseason and you'd be forgiven if you included Scahill as part of that but the Pirates gave up a real albeit low value asset (Shane Carle) to get him so it’s unlikely they see him as just filler. Scahill throws hard (he reaches the upper 90s) and induces a lot of ground balls so he is the Pirates type of pitcher. The Pirates likely see something they can tweak here and with options remaining he will likely serve as a depth option for the bullpen.
Bobby LaFromboise: He isn't anything special but the Pirates added LaFromboise late last year and he did an adequate job when called upon. With options remaining he will likely serve as the top left handed relief option for the bullpen.
Brad Lincoln: Last time we seen Lincoln he was putting up great numbers as a relief pitcher. His career hasn't went well since then but he is now back and will likely be in the AAA bullpen. He finds himself above the starters and the three bullpen names listed above but we know he has the ability to be a solid relief pitcher so this is a good guy to have this deep on the depth chart.
Blake Wood, Deolis Guerra, Jeremy Bleich, Charlie Leesman, and Collin Balester: These five players are this year's crop of upper level arms signed to fill in AA and AAA pitching spots where and when needed. There is talent in here and someone could emerge as a useful reliever or maybe even starter but basically these guys are just usual depth to help in case of a dire emergency.
Review
Of course none of the players listed here save for maybe the prospects are impact guys but the point is a lot of these guys could reasonably come up to the majors this season and fill a role admirably. When it comes to reaching beyond your first layer of depth a lot of teams dry up rather quickly but the Pirates have set themselves up nicely here with quality depth all around the diamond. The top of this year's team may not be improved over last year's but the bottom of it and the depth behind it certainly has been.