Thursday, February 27, 2025, 7:39PM |  46°
MENU
Advertisement
Pirates pitcher Montana Durapau pitches against the Rockies in the first inning Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at PNC Park.
1
MORE

Pirates invite additional 11 players to spring training

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Pirates invite additional 11 players to spring training

The Pirates on Monday announced 11 additional non-roster invitees for spring training, which starts in about a month.

That group includes pitchers Montana DuRapau, Luis Escobar, Williams Jerez, Tom Koehler, James Marvel, Nick Mears, Nik Turley and Blake Weiman; catchers Christian Kelley and Jason Delay; and outfielder Jared Oliva. Other Pirates non-roster invitees for spring training include pitchers Miguel Del Pozo and Hector Noesi; catcher John Ryan Murphy; infielders Jake Elmore and Phillip Evans; and outfielder Socrates Brito.

DuRapau, Escobar, Jerez and Marvel all saw time with the MLB club in 2019, with Marvel winning the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year award after going 16-5 with a 2.94 ERA across two levels. The others were occasionally effective out of the bullpen, Herez specifically against left-handed hitters.

Advertisement

Oliva is an intriguing prospect. After a slow start, he wound up slashing .277/.352/.398 with 36 steals for Class AA Altoona. That momentum continued into the Arizona Fall League, when Oliva really shined.

Barry Bonds will find out on Tuesday whether he's been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jason Mackey
Time is ticking on Barry Bonds’ Hall of Fame candidacy

He led the league with 11 doubles and swiped 11 bases in 26 games while producing a slash line of .312/.413/.473.

While Oliva is likely ticketed for Class AAA, a strong start to the season and one or two injuries with the MLB club could put him in line for an early-season promotion.

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

Advertisement

First Published: January 20, 2020, 10:48 p.m.

RELATED
Pirates infielder Kevin Kramer
Nubyjas Wilborn
Pirates' Kevin Kramer talks fatherhood and 'fresh start' for organization
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Arthur Smith walks off the field after losing to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens won 28-14.
1
sports
Joe Starkey: Was Steelers GM Omar Khan kidding with his Arthur Smith comments?
Mayor Ed Gainey, left, shakes Police Chief Larry Scirotto’s hand after a news conference regarding the recent release of the staffing report for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in the North Side.
2
news
PG Politics: Ripple effects of former Pittsburgh police chief's abrupt retirement
Kevin Colbert congratulates Ben Roethlisberger after the Steelers beat the Jaguars 20-16 on Nov. 18, 2018, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers mailbag: How similar is this QB situation to the 2021 predicament?
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, left, and general manager Omar Khan stand on the field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Giants, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
4
sports
2025 NFL salary cap is up to $279 million. Here's what that means for the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) dives for a first down against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in the North Shore. The Cincinnati Bengals won 19-17.
5
sports
Steelers talking with Najee Harris' representation at NFL combine
Pirates pitcher Montana Durapau pitches against the Rockies in the first inning Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at PNC Park.  (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story