Less than two weeks before the start of 2025 Spring Training, the Pirates confirmed a list of 12 non-roster players who will be in big league camp. The list includes several former first-round picks in development. Among the names include former first-round picks Termarr Johnson and Konnor Griffin, plus pitching prospect Bubba Chandler.
Arguably the most notable name among the group of 12 is Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ top pick from 2024. Griffin was arguably the best high schooler available in the 2024 MLB Draft. However, the shortstop/outfielder did not play in the Minors last season.
If the Pirates follow the same model the team used for Termarr Johnson, Griffin would start 2025 with Bradenton (A).
Speaking of Johnson, the 2022 first-round pick will also head to big league camp as a non-roster invitee. The 20-year-old didn’t have as loud a season compared to 2023 but slashed a respectable .237/.366/.386 with 85 walks and 116 strikeouts over 124 games. In the Arizona Fall League, Johnson had five extra-base hits and a .919 OPS across 11 games.
At 5’7”, Johnson has some of the best on-base skills in the Minors. The 20-year-old walked 101 times two seasons ago. Johnson’s also shown good pop and the ability to stay back on non-fastballs.
There will be some notable pitching prospects, one being Anthony Solometo. Solometo struggled in 2024, with a BB/9 of 5.0 and a sharp drop in K/9, from 9.6 in 2023 to 6.8 in 2022. The tall left-hander, who spent most of 2024 in Double-A, had a month-long stint on the development list and threw only 70.1 official innings.
Bubba Chandler, meanwhile, could join Jared Jones and Paul Skenes next season in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old, also on the list, struck out 148 over 119.2 IP last season between Double and Triple-A. Chandler was especially good in Indianapolis (AAA), with a 1.83 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 39.1 IP.
One of the top prospects in the Pirates’ farm system, Chandler has a booming four-seamer that topped 99 MPH among tracked pitches last season, and good induced movement (16.7”). He paired it with a curveball, as well as hard slider that sat around 90 MPH last season, and a changeup.
Other prospects headed to big league camp include Thomas Harrington, Hunter Barco, Matt Gorski, Jack Brannigan, Omar Alfonzo, and Sean Sullivan.
Additionally, the Pirates invited former Major Leaguers Ryan Borucki and Ryder Ryan, both of whom previously pitched for the Bucs.
Borucki re-joined the organization last week, part of Pittsburgh’s push for left-handed relievers. Ryan, meanwhile, logged 20.2 IP for the Pirates last season, posting a 5.66 ERA.
Make sure to check out the non-roster invite lists for the Diamondbacks and Rays, confirmed last week.