OnlyBucs

Kudos to Wilbur Miller who did all the work on this list of 2021 Rule 5 candidates over at Baseball Network. His point, which I echo and hope to expand on, is that the Pirate organization will have a problem protecting their Rule 5-eligible assets in 2021.



OK: try to think of 10 guys currently on our 40-man roster that you can at least grudgingly say goodbye to before the 2021 Rule 5 Draft. Ages listed are as of 5/1/2021:

1. Gregory Polanco,29: Hope you showed us something before you and your over-priced contract leave.

2. Erik Gonzalez,29: Maybe you got us a lottery ticket at the trade deadline.

3. Adam Frazier,29: May you enjoy a pennant chase with a contender, bringing us an A-ball prospect in return.

4. Michael Perez,28: Thanks for a decent year as backup catcher, but prospects beckon.

5. Chris Stratton,30: Have fun with a contender. Thanks for helping to bring back a catching prospect.

6. Rich Rodriguez,31: See above. Someone will need bullpen help at the deadline, and offer us a catching prospect we can use.

7. Sean Poppen,27: May be gone before the 2021 season begins.

8. Carson Fulmer,27: See above. Can't blame BC for taking a flier on these guys.

9. Tyler Bashlor,28: Fungible righty reliever.

10. Whoever is not performing among Mike Feliz,27; Kyle Crick,28; or Edgar Santana,29.



Wilbur starred the players he considered to be no-brainers. He listed all the guys who were previously eligible for the draft. He didn't select him, but I would add Blake Weiman if he moves ahead of Austin Davis,28, or Sam Howard,28, in 2021.



Previously available:

Robbie Glendinning, IF,25

Lolo Sanchez, OF,22

Osvaldo Bido, RHP,25

Travis MacGregor, RHP,23

Santiago Florez, RHP,20

Noe Toribio, RHP,21

Blake Weiman, LHP,25

Braeden Ogle, LHP,23



Wilbur starred a bunch of first-time eligibles, and you can see why:



Mason Martin, IF*,21

Liover Peguero, IF*,20

Travis Swaggerty, OF*,23

Cal Mitchell, OF*,22

Jonah Davis, OF,23

Canaan Smith, OF*,22

Cody Bolton, RHP*,22

Aaron Shortridge, RHP,23

Brad Case, RHP,24

Steven Jennings, RHP,22

Omar Cruz, LHP,22

Colin Selby, RHP,23

Will Kobos, RHP,23

Tahnaj Thomas, RHP*,21

Eddy Yean, RHP*,19



The guy I add here is Omar Cruz, simply because he's the only Top 30 lefty starter in our system. I'm also not completely sold on Cal Mitchell. I'm hoping that a newly acquired upper minors catching prospect has been added to our 40-man by the trade deadline.



Thanks in advance for your comments, and thanks again to Wilbur for the research!

Shameless bump.



Just don't want it to get buried before there are any comments.

some other guys who could lose roster spots depending on what they do in 2021:



Sam Howard

Max Kranick

Austin Davis

Cody Ponce

Philip Evans (was last year a flash in the pan?)

Anthony Alford

Jared Oliva

082229192E3838345B0 wrote: [highlight]Shameless bump.[/highlight]



Just don't want it to get buried before there are any comments.


Yep, you are shameless SyrBucco. We have known each other for a long time and think I can get away with this snide remark.

240203140212610 wrote: some other guys who could lose roster spots depending on what they do in 2021:



Sam Howard

Max Kranick

Austin Davis

Cody Ponce

Philip Evans (was last year a flash in the pan?)

Anthony Alford

Jared Oliva








Nice addition to the list. I am personally hoping the Evans makes the 40-man and can hold onto a super-sub spot on the roster.

65444C654E46210 wrote: some other guys who could lose roster spots depending on what they do in 2021:



Sam Howard

Max Kranick

Austin Davis

Cody Ponce

Philip Evans (was last year a flash in the pan?)

Anthony Alford

Jared Oliva








Nice addition to the list.  I am personally hoping the Evans makes the 40-man and can hold onto a super-sub spot on the roster. 


I'm hoping Evans settles into a platoon with Moran at 1B!

Most likely all those on my list will play with the Pirates at some point this year. the question for all of them is whether they will still have a spot on 40 after the season.



Best case scenario is that most of them do but I would bet at least 2 don't make it.