Last season, the Pittsburgh Pirates organization moved Catcher Endy Rodriguez, Pitchers Quinn Priester and Colin Selby, Infielders Aaron Shackelford and Malcom Nunez, along with Outfielder Matt Gorski to Triple-A Indy upon the Double-A season ending. Today, we will look at who could get bumped up to Triple A for the last week and continue their minor league season.

P Jackson Wolf

The only player on this list that is on the 40 man roster, Wolf was surprisingly sent to Double-A upon acquisition. Wolf gave up 8 runs in the month of August striking out 20 batters in his 5 starts. The move to Indianapolis would further his development, and possibly place him in line for a chance to pitch in the Major Leagues one more time in 2023.

P Nick Dombkowski

His first appearance in Triple-A was less than ideal, and it immediately led to him get sent back to Altoona. The young left-hander is a Swiss Army knife in the Pirates organization, as he has seen time as a starter and a reliever. Regardless, Indianapolis needs pitching help and Dombkowski provides that. Known as more of a ground ball specialist, he gets the job done. He would benefit greatly by ending the year in Triple-A.

P Aaron Shortridge

His turn around this season has been remarkable. With one year left until he hits minor league free agency, the Pirates should see how handles Triple-A now and have him use the offseason to prepare him for 2024.

P Cam Junker

The most reliable arm in the Curve bullpen this year, Junker has the tools to become a major league arm by next season. I see him as this year’s Colin Selby. A player who has flown under the radar his whole career, and quietly dominates a game. He is my surprise pick for rule-5 protection as well.

INF Tsung-Che Cheng

In contention for Pirates minor league player of the year, Cheng has worked himself into the rule-5 protection conversation as well. Seeing what you have in Indy might not be a bad idea, even if that’s not where you put him to start 2024. His offense is great and his defense needs some fine-tuning.

OF Matt Frazier

Is this the time that he finally gets promoted? He was a star in 2021, and has struggled in 2022 and 2023. His later half of 2023 has been a massive improvement. Similar to what happened to Mason Martin, maybe he will find his stride in Triple A and try to continue his growth as a player. Indy makes sense for him now.