Predicting Pirates September Roster Additions (+)
With the flip of the calendar from August to September, Major League Baseball rosters will expand. The Pittsburgh Pirates, like the other 29 teams in the league, will be adding two players to the active roster, pushing the total from 26 to 28. Teams can carry no more than 14 pitchers, so the Pirates will be adding at least one position player for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
There are a handful of players currently with Triple-A Indianapolis who are logical candidates to join the Pirates. Also of note, the Pirates have two open spots on the 40-man roster, so they can freely add someone if needed without having to make a corresponding move.
Based off of manager Derek Shelton’s comments prior to Friday night’s game against the Guardians, it seems likely that the Pirates will be adding one position player and one pitcher.
Here are my predictions.
RHP Colin Holderman
Holderman seems just about set to come off the injured list, and this move makes a lot of sense from a logistical standpoint. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 8 with a right wrist sprain and has been rehabbing with Indianapolis.
Holderman has totaled 44 appearances with the Pirates on the season and is 3-5 with a 3.43 ERA. Across 42 innings, he’s allowed 37 hits, walked 21 and struck out 47.
It was a hot start to the season for Holderman, who had a 0.68 ERA in 28 appearances through June 28. However, it was a real struggle for him over his next 16 appearances prior to landing on the injured list.
From June 23-Aug. 7, Holderman allowed 16 runs (14 earned) on 23 hits with 10 walks in 15.1 innings. He went 0-5 in those 16 appearances and was responsible for three blown saves.
Despite his struggles, Holderman is viewed as a key component of the Pirates’ bullpen, a unit that has been inconsistent for much of the season.
If he does indeed end up being one of the September additions, Holderman could be one of the relievers to see action in the ninth inning after David Bednar was taken out of the closer’s role.
INF/OF Nick Yorke
Ever since he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox, Yorke has been on fire with Indianapolis.
The Pirates acquired Yorke in exchange for right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester in a swap of former first-round picks the day before the trade deadline.
Excluding Indianapolis’ suspended game from Friday, Yorke is slashing .362/.419/.479 with 11 doubles and 15 RBIs in 26 games since joining the organization.
In addition to his performance at the plate, Yorke offers plenty of versatility. Though he’s primarily been a second baseman throughout his career, Yorke has bounced around the diamond in the Pirates’ organization, with most of his action coming at second base and in left field. He’s also seen time at shortstop, third base and in both center and right field.
The 22-year-old Yorke is considered the Pirates’ sixth-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so he’ll need to be added for the move to happen.
There is a legitimate chance that Yorke could have a role on the 2025 Pirates. Why not get an early look at him and let him get his feet wet?
Others Considered
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