(ADAM BRADY/Bradenton)– The Pirates made their first significant round of Spring Training roster cuts on Monday, sending a number of top prospects to Minor League camp at Pirate City.
Outfielder Austin Meadows, right-hander Clay Holmes and lefty reliever Jack Leathersich were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, where they will begin the season. Shortstop Cole Tucker, outfielders Bryan Reynolds and Jason Martin, right-hander Damien Magnifico and catcher Christian Kelley were reassigned to Minor League camp.
Meadows, the Bucs’ No. 2 prospect as ranked by MLB Pipeline, made another strong impression this spring as he went 7-for-19 with a home run, a triple, two doubles and eight RBIs. If he remains healthy, the 2013 first-round Draft pick should be ready to make his Major League debut later this year.
Leathersich came into camp competing for a job in the bullpen. In five appearances, he allowed six runs on five hits and six walks while striking out four in 4 2/3 innings. The Pirates have several other lefty relief options in front of closer Felipe Rivero, including non-roster invitee Kevin Siegrist, Josh Smoker and Steven Brault.
Tucker (Pittsburgh’s No. 5 prospect), Reynolds (No. 6) and Martin (No. 22) should begin the season with Double-A Altoona. Tucker was the Pirates’ first-round Draft pick in 2014 and worked exclusively at shortstop this spring. Reynolds and Martin were acquired two months ago in the Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole trades, respectively.
Holmes, the Bucs’ No. 19 prospect, made a solid three-inning start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Sunday. At this point of Spring Training, however, it becomes harder to keep starters in camp — if they aren’t competing for Opening Day roster spots — as they build up their pitch counts.
Kelley, 24, should advance to Double-A this season after hitting .243/.340/.295 in 92 games last season for Class A Advanced Bradenton. Magnifico, 26, came to the Pirates in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft in December; he allowed three runs on two hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings over five appearances in the Grapefruit League.