The Pittsburgh Pirates designated Eric Fryer for assignment last week to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for their Rule 5 additions. On the same day they claimed catcher Brian Jeroloman from the Toronto Blue Jays, who they designated for assignment to clear a spot for Clint Barmes. Fryer cleared waivers today and was outrighted to AAA. Jeroloman, on the other hand, was claimed by Toronto, returning to his old team.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
I am kinda surprised Fryer made it through and Jeroloman did not. I still believe Fryer will have a Major League career. I seen him at AAA several times and was impressed. The ball explodes off his bat and he is very athletic behind the plate. I am will to bet, barring injury, that Fryer’s Major League career will be longer than that of Tony Sanchez.