Perrotto: Projecting the Pirates’ Opening-Day Roster (+)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are now closer to opening day than they are removed from the start of spring training.

In camp since Feb. 15, the Pirates open the season on March 30 against the Reds in Cincinnati. With a little more than three weeks to go, it’s a fun – though perhaps pointless – exercise to project the Pirates’ opening-day roster.

We’ll start under the assumption that the Pirates will open the season with an even split of 13 position players and 13 pitchers.

Seven members of the starting lineup are set with catcher Austin Hedges, first baseman Ji-Man Choi, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, shortstop Oneil Cruz, left fielder Bryan Reynolds, right fielder Andrew McCutchen and designated hitter Carlos Santana.