With the deadline approaching fast for major league teams, organizations must decide on the fate of the roster moving. For a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates, they will possibly move some expiring free agents in order to further their prospect pool. For some prospects, that means they can take a crack at the major league level. Here are five Pirates prospects that could make their debuts in 2023.

RHP Travis MacGregor

Once a highly touted high school prospect, the Pirates selected him 68th overall in 2016. Tommy John surgery sideline MacGregor for the 2019 season. Following the 2022 season, MacGregor’s contract expired and he elected to come back to the Pirates organization for 2023. He was sent back to the Altoona Curve, where he dominated play going 4-0 from the bullpen in 16 appearances, striking out 45 batters, and holding a 1.83 ERA which earned himself a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis. So far with the Indians, MacGregor holds a 1-0 record, a 2.13 ERA, and 9 strikeouts in 6 appearances. The 25 year old pitcher is showing out in a phenomenal fashion. I feel that he deserves a shot at the major league level. 

INF Aaron Shackleford

A 14th round pick out of The Masters University in California, Shackelford was seen as a boom or bust prospect. He worked his way through the latter and now he has finally hit AAA Indianapolis. He has absolutely run with the opportunity presented, and hasn’t looked back. He plays all around the infield, but mainly first base where he thrives off his athleticism. He loves the long ball, as 11 home runs are under his name along with 38RBIs. His .237 average is about league average but the 36% strikeout percentage needs to improve. With the possibility of Ji-Man Choi and/or Carlos Santana traded, Shackelford deserves a shot to see what he can do. He’s come this far, and not many other players can hold the first base position like him. 

RHP John O’Reilly

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers in 2018, O’Reilly was seen as a shot in the dark prospect. “Big John” is now in his 3rd stint with AAA Indianapolis, and after a rough start, he’s finding his stride. In the month of June, O’Reilly held a 0.87 ERA and 8 strikeouts in 10 appearances. He has only given up 2 runs in his 5 games so far in July but he still holds a year total of a 5.34 ERA. With an expiring contract upon season’s end, it wouldn’t hurt the Pirates to give the 27 year old reliever a shot. There is no video available.

INF Alika Williams

The 37th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 out of Arizona State, Williams was seen as another potential weapon to add to the Rays lineup. Unfortunately, things didn’t work for Williams and they sent him to the Pirates in a trade for RHP Robert Stephenson. Since coming over, Williams has fit like a glove in the Indians lineup. In 27 games played, he’s hit for a .271 average, 4 home runs, and 18RBIs, along with some flashy defensive plays at shortstop. With some roster shuffling on the horizon in the big leagues, why not give Williams a shot?

RHP Colin Selby

A 2018 16th round pick out of Randolph-Macon, has really emerged as a top pitching prospect in the Pirates organization. He really turned it on in AA Altoona last year, as he posted a 2.20 ERA and 41 strikeouts in his 26 games with the Curve. That feat earned him a spot on the 40-man roster in the offseason, and the promotion to AAA Indianapolis for 2023. He had an adjustment period followed by an injury, but since then he has been on fire. He holds a 3.70 ERA and 32 strikeouts in his 23 games for the Indians. Selby is the most likely candidate to make his debut this year in the bullpen, plus he’s the only candidate currently on the 40-man roster.

Honorable mentions: RHP Jared Jones, RHP Hunter Stratton, RHP Kyle Nicolas.