While the season is just getting started, many front offices are already considering any offseason decisions they may make. The class eligible this season is slim due to COVID-19 shortening the 2020 draft, making only college players in 2021 available. We will look at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ possible options on who to protect this offseason, if any. 

Locks

As of right now, there isn’t a player available who is making their case strong enough to join the 40-man roster.

Strong consideration

Brandan Bidois: One of the most intriguing arms in the Pirates organization comes from Queensland, Australia. Signed in 2019, he was limited, then the 2020 COVID season with no play in the states, and an injury sidelined him for 2021, 2022, and half of 2023. With 22.2 innings under his belt in Bradenton, he impressed from the bullpen striking out 41.6% of his batters. Walks have been part of his struggles but he can make up for it with his mid to high 90s fastball that is slowly inching to 100. His command is getting slowly better but still has a way to go but his start in Greensboro this year has been good. If he keeps it up with a mid-season promotion he could sneak into a 40-man spot. 

Nick Dombkowski: An undrafted free agent signing in a short COVID-19 draft season, Dombkowski seems sometimes overlooked in that regard. He is the Pirates “6th round pick” in our eyes who has seemingly taken the underdog mentality and run with it. In 2022, he climbed from Bradenton to Altoona in just two months. He dominated AA again and earned a partial promotion to AAA to end the season. After another phenomenal start in AA, he is back in AAA hoping to stick. He may just be a player added way before rule 5 time. 

Jackson Glenn: A Pirates front office dream, an infielder that can play practically any position and is great defensively. His 2023 season showed vast improvement at the plate earning him a promotion to Double-AA Altoona mid-season. He started slow in 2024 but is slowly coming back into rhythm at the plate. A name to keep an eye on. 

Jase Bowen: Many including myself were shocked the once Michigan State two-sport commit, was left unprotected at last year’s draft after a remarkable AFL performance. Similar to Glenn, Bowen is a swiss army knife that can be placed practically anywhere on the diamond. The bat went quiet to start 2024, but it seems to be back. With a weak class, Bowen leads the charge for a possible 40-man spot. 

Sammy Siani: After spending two full seasons in Greensboro, Siani’s bat got hot. He smashed 4 home runs with 12 RBIs, and a .316 batting average to move up to Double-AA Altoona. He most recently collected his first AA home run and has been getting more consistent playing time in a weak Altoona lineup. Siani is starting to live up to his once-top-prospect potential. 

Worth a look

Mike Jarvis: A surprise promotion to AAA just a couple of weeks into the season after only a short stint in AA. Hit well in High-A last season and can be utilized partially anywhere. Struggled at the plate to start and dealt with an injury but has hit a couple of home runs in his couple of AAA games. A name to keep an eye on. 

Hudson Head: Similar to Siani, Head returned to High-A for a third season and is finding his groove. 6 home runs and 18 RBIs already surpass last year’s totals as a whole and a promotion to AA seems inevitable. Consistency and some roster room give Head a chance to regain his once sky-high potential. 

Sean Sullivan: Sullivan has impressed at times with Altoona over his 1.25-year stint so far. He is more of a ground ball pitcher but can catch you swinging and missing. The ERA this season has reached the lowest of his career, 2.66, and a promotion to AAA Indianapolis is looming. AAA could be the deciding factor if he reaches the strong consideration category. 

Tyler Samaniego: A strong 2022 season turned Samaneigo into a head-turning prospect. 2023 had its ups and downs but earned him a spot on the Pirates fall league team. He is currently dealing with an injury and has only played 2 games this season. The bounce back determines his fate in rule 5. 

Ryan Harbin: Recently just came back from an injury that sidelined him most of the spring and into April, Harbin impressed mightily last season. He held a 0.83 ERA in 21 appearances striking out 44 men in 32.2 innings. He went to Greensboro and went through his learning curve in hopes of being dominant in 2024. Only one game in so far he struck out 50% of his batters. If he keeps it up, his name gets in the conversation. 

Newly eligible 2024 players: Brandon Bidois, Luke Brown, Jack Carey, Yordin DeLa Paz, Brenden Dixon, Nick Dombkowski, Jackson Glenn, Wyatt Hendrie, Mike Jarvis, Solomon Maguire, Justin Meis, Scott Randall, Tyler Samaneigo, Sean Sullivan

Only time will tell who gets placed into what category as we are only two months into the season but a look into the future never hurts.