I’ve been piecing together the minor league starting rotations, as well as the starting lineups. I’ve confirmed the rotations and the lineups with people in the Pirates’ front office. There are still some things that could change, specifically in this case with Clint Robinson being claimed. For the most part things are set. Below are the lineups, and the rotations can be seen here.
Indianapolis
Catcher – Tony Sanchez
First Base – Matt Hague
Second Base – Ivan De Jesus Jr.
Shortstop – Jordy Mercer
Third Base – Jared Goedert
Left Field – Alex Presley
Center Field – Felix Pie
Right Field – Jerry Sands
Designated Hitter – ???
Notes: Originally Clint Robinson would have been in the mix here, with Robinson and Hague sharing first base. Robinson was claimed today by the Toronto Blue Jays, and there are a few guys in the mix for his spot. Matt Curry is a possibility, but not a guarantee. De Jesus and Mercer will switch back and forth, with both getting time at shortstop. Presley and Pie will both get time in center field. Hague could get some time at third base. Darren Ford and Brett Carroll will be the backup outfielders. Oscar Tejeda and Alex Valdez should also get some time off the bench.
Altoona
Catcher – Carlos Paulino
First Base – Matt Curry
Second Base – Jarek Cunningham
Shortstop – Gift Ngoepe
Third Base – Stefan Welch
Left Field – Alex Dickerson
Center Field – Mel Rojas Jr.
Right Field – Andrew Lambo
Designated Hitter – Adalberto Santos
Notes: Altoona’s roster is going to be crazy. I wrote about that earlier today, but here is the rundown. Curry will play primarily at first base, with Alex Dickerson getting time in left field. Curry could play left, and both could get time at DH. Stefan Welch could get some time at first base and DH. Adalberto Santos could get time in left field, second base, third base, and DH. Andrew Lambo could also get time at first base and DH. And all of this could change, depending on how the Clint Robinson situation plays out.
Bradenton
Catcher – Jacob Stallings
First Base – Jose Osuna
Second Base – Dan Gamache
Shortstop – Alen Hanson
Third Base – Eric Avila
Left Field – Taylor Lewis
Center Field – Gregory Polanco
Right Field – Willy Garcia
Designated Hitter – Carlos Mesa
Notes: Jacob Stallings will split time with Elias Diaz, but Stallings will get more playing time. Eric Avila will begin the year getting most of the time at third base. Chris Lashmet could get some time there. I’m glad I’m covering this team this year.
West Virginia
Catcher – Wyatt Mathisen
First Base – Stetson Allie
Second Base – Dilson Herrera
Shortstop – Max Moroff
Third Base – Eric Wood
Left Field – Raul Fortunato
Center Field – Barrett Barnes
Right Field – Josh Bell
Designated Hitter – Walker Gourley
Notes: The speculation that Josh Bell will start the year in extended Spring Training isn’t accurate. Raul Fortunato and Walker Gourley could split time in left field. Jonathan Schwind has also been spending some time in left field recently, and I could see him getting some playing time. The rest of this lineup should be consistent, and a fun group to watch.
