Which Players Will Make the Pirates Roster — And Which Won't
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates enter into one of the more important seasons in their recent history, with many difficult choices for who will play for them on Opening Day.
The Pirates have made numerous moves this offseason in an effort to improve their lineup and build a stronger group of hitters that can take this team to the playoffs, ending a decade-long drought.
Pittsburgh making these additions shakes up the roster that they had towards the end of last season, with new players and others looking to compete for their spot.
The Pirates have less than four weeks until they begin their 2026 season against the New York Mets at Citi Field on March 26 and some players who are clearly on the team.
Pirates Pitchers That Will Make the Roster
Starting Rotation
Name | Throwing Arm |
|---|---|
Paul Skenes | Right |
Mitch Keller | Right |
Braxton Ashcraft | Right |
Bubba Chandler | Right |
José Urquidy | Right |
Bullpen
Name | Throwing Arm |
|---|---|
Hunter Barco | Left |
Gregory Soto | Left |
Mason Montgomery | Left |
Justin Lawrence | Right |
Isaac Mattson | Right |
Carmen Mlodzinski | Right |
Kyle Nicolas | Right |
Dennis Santana | Right |
I've kept the same pitching staff from my first Opening Day prediction, as there hasn't been any indication that much has changed over the first week of Spring Training games.
The Pirates' starting rotation is set 1-4 with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler, with the final three spots potentially in a different order.
José Urquidy still makes the most sense for their final starter, even after missing most of the past two seasons following Tommy John surgery. His relationship with pitching coach Bill Murphy, who was with him the final three years of his time with the Houston Astros, 2021-23, should play a big role.
Left-hander Hunter Barco and right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will make starts in the Grapefruit League, so there is always a chance one of them gets a look at that final spot, but Urquidy's experience is more vast compared to these two as a major league starter.
Barco and Mlodzinski should do well out of the bullpen. While Barco is ultimately destined for a starter role, the Pirates liked having their rookies, like Ashcraft and Chandler, work out of the bullpen before becoming starting pitchers.
Left-hander Gregory Soto and right-hander Dennis Santana are locks for the bullpen. I'd be shocked if Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson and Kyle Nicolas don't make the roster as well.
Mason Montgomery, another southpaw, should make it as well as a new addition, coming from the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays that also added second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jake Mangum.
Position Players that Should Make the Pirates Roster
Catchers
Name | Batting Side |
|---|---|
Henry Davis | Right |
Joey Bart | Right |
Infielders
Name | Position |
|---|---|
Nick Gonzales | SS/2B |
Konnor Griffin | SS/CF |
Spencer Horwitz | 1B/DH |
Brandon Lowe | 2B/DH |
Jared Triolo | 3B (Utility) |
Nick Yorke | Utility (Backup 3B) |
Marcell Ozuna | DH |
Outfielders
Name | Position |
|---|---|
Oneil Cruz | CF/DH |
Jake Mangum | LF/CF/RF |
Ryan O'Hearn | RF/LF (Also 1B/DH) |
Bryan Reynolds | RF/LF |
Much of the same here from my first Opening Day prediction, with most of these names locks for the Opening Day roster.
Free agents Ryan O'Hearn and Marcell Ozuna will both be in the lineup, with O'Hearn in right field and Ozuna at designated hitter. Bryan Reynolds has played left field in the Grapefruit League and should mostly play there, while Oneil Cruz improves defensively in center field.
Mangum also gets the last nod in outfield, due to his versatility, contact at the plate and speed around the base paths.
Konnor Griffin should still make the Opening Day roster and a potential extension is reportedly something both parties are open to, which could give the Pirates their future of the franchise at just 19 years old.
Jared Triolo should fill the third base role, Griffin at shortstop, Lowe at second base and Spencer Horwitz at first base. Nick Gonzales should be the middle infielder on the bench.
Nick Yorke is the last player to make it in, as he should serve as a backup to Triolo, can play all infield spots and corner outfield spots, making him the Pirates' utility player.
Henry Davis is the Pirates' best defensive catcher and is Skenes' main man, while Joey Bart has more experience and should have the backup catcher role, but the Pirates have included him in prior trade talks, so that's one to keep an eye out for.
Players That Won't Make the Opening Day Roster
Pitching Staff
Name | Starter or Reliever | Throwing Arm |
|---|---|---|
Brandon Bidois | Reliever | Right |
Wilber Dotel | Starter | Right |
Ryan Harbin | Reliever | Right |
Thomas Harrington | Starter | Right |
Antwone Kelly | Starter | Right |
Yohan Ramírez | Reliever | Right |
Cam Sanders | Reliever | Right |
Evan Sisk | Reliever | Left |
These are the eight pitchers on the 40-man roster that won't make it, but that doesn't mean they won't play for the Pirates in 2026.
Brandon Bidois is one of the more interesting names that I think could make it later in the season with more experience at Triple-A. Bidois faced 64 straight batters over 18 innings last season without giving up a hit.
Thomas Harrington may serve as a depth piece in the bullpen and rotation, if he can bounceback from a rough two stints with the Pirates in 2025.
Evan Sisk has looked strong in Spring Training and should compete for an Opening Day spot, which he could get still.
Wilber Dotel and Antwone Kelly are exciting prospects who still need time at Triple-A and Ryan Harbin is hurt. I don't see Yohan Ramírez or Cam Sanders making the team, but they did pitch for the Pirates last year.
Position Players
Name | Position |
|---|---|
Rafael Flores Jr. | C/1B |
Endy Rodríguez | C/1B |
Jack Brannigan | 3B/SS |
Enmanuel Valdez | 3B/1B |
Billy Cook | OF |
Jhostynxon García | OF |
Esmerlyn Valdez | OF |
Rafael Flores Jr. and Endy Rodríguez were tough to leave off the Opening Day roster, but if there's not an injury to a key player, they'll likely begin their year in Triple-A.
Enmanuel Valdez will battle Yorke for backup third base and at first base, too, but I see Yorke winning that battle. Jack Brannigan is harboring another injury and hasn't played at Triple-A yet.
Not sure where I see the future for Billy Cook with the Pirates, but he's good depth if there are injuries.
Jhostynxon García was picked up in the trade from the Red Sox and it was tough to leave him off, as his power is impressive and he is solid defensively.
Esmerlyn Valdez, much like García, is also a big power bat, but hasn't played at Triple-A so he should start there.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.