The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned Nick Kingham and Elias Diaz to Indianapolis. The moves are kind of expected, since today is a pretty important deadline for players with zero MLB service time. Neither Kingham nor Diaz have any MLB service time, which means if they remain in camp past this date, and they get injured, they would have to start the season on the MLB disabled list, which would start their service clocks.
Kingham could make the team at some point this season, and should be the top depth option when he is ready this summer. Diaz could also make the team later this year, after he gets some more time against upper level pitching. Kingham projects to have the upside of a middle of the rotation starter who can throw 200 innings a year, while Diaz has the upside to be the Pirates’ starting catcher in the not too distant future.
The Pirates now have 47 active players in camp.
