3 Pirates players who shouldn’t be on the 40-man roster by spring training

Title: Share on Facebook The Pittsburgh Pirates' 40-man roster currently has 38 players, leaving room for potential additions before spring training. To add more than two MLB players during the offseason, the Pirates will need to DFA, trade, or release existing players on the roster. The free agent and trade markets offer realistic options for improving the Pirates' roster, suggesting that acquiring multiple players is likely. Alika Williams, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, is highlighted as a player unlikely to remain on the roster by spring training. Despite being a former first-round pick, Williams has underperformed offensively, with a batting line of .202/.257/.271 in the majors. Williams has not hit any home runs and has a very low isolated slugging percentage of .069. His strikeout rate decreased from 31.3% in 2023 to 22.9% in 2024, but this also led to a significant drop in his walk rate. At Triple-A, Williams has performed better with a .308 batting average and a .376 wOBA, but he still lacks the raw power needed for a significant impact. The Pirates have a better option in Jared Triolo, who is a superior defender and has provided more offensive production than Williams. The analysis suggests that the Pirates should prioritize retaining players who can contribute more effectively than Williams, especially given Triolo's capabilities.

Original Article: https://rumbunter.com/3-pirates-players-who-shouldnt-be-on-40-man-roster-by-spring-training

Original Article Author: Noah Wright