The Pirates Could Have a Temporary Logjam of Catching Prospects in High-A to Start 2022

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Greensboro Grasshoppers had a good looking Spring Training lineup on Monday at Pirate City.

The High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled out the following lineup:

1. Jack Herman – LF

2. Endy Rodriguez – 2B

3. Henry Davis – DH

4. Matt Gorksi – RF

5. Abrahan Gutierrez – 1B

6. Dariel Lopez – 3B

7. Carter Bins – C

8. Maikol Escotto – SS

9. Sammy Siani

The pitching matchups were off a bit, with Wil Crowe pitching in the minor league game, and Bins catching. That moved all of the other catchers to alternate positions.

The Pirates have yet to set their Opening Day rosters for the minor league affiliates, so no roster is official yet. However, they might have a temporary log jam behind the plate in Greensboro to start the season. Henry Davis has barely played in pro ball, and is expected to go to High-A. Endy Rodriguez should move up from Bradenton, and Abrahan Gutierrez has been getting regular time with this team.

To make it all work, the Pirates have been playing Rodriguez in left field and at second base, with left field being the primary second position. They’ve also been playing Gutierrez at first base.

“I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how it’s going to work out,” said Greensboro manager Callix Crabbe.

Crabbe noted that nothing is set with the rosters, but looking at the playing time decisions so far, you could make a strong guess that Davis, Rodriguez, and Gutierrez will start the year on the same team. Rodriguez is expected to play quite a bit of left field during this process, while Gutierrez has been working on his first base.

“There’s some nuanced stuff that he’s probably going to have to learn, which is to be expected,” said Crabbe on Gutierrez at first. “He moves well. I’m surprised to see how good he moves over there. He’s a pretty decent athlete for a big boy, and he looks smooth over there.”

This situation is temporary. Eventually, Henry Davis will probably move up to Altoona, leaving Rodriguez and Gutierrez to split the High-A position.

“Those guys will get their opportunities, and then when one of them moves, things will get back to normal,” said Crabbe.