The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first roster cut of spring training Saturday when they optioned their No. 1 prospect, pitcher Mitch Keller, to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Keller, a 22-year-old right-hander who is ranked the No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, allowed 10 runs (all earned) on 10 hits, including three home runs, in four innings in Grapefruit League play. He finished the spring with a team-worst 22.50 ERA and 3.25 WHIP, as well as a .476 batting-average against.
Also optioned to Indianapolis were right-handers JT Brubaker, the Pirates’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2018, and Luis Escobar. The Pirates also reassigned right-handers Dario Agrazal and Eduardo Vera, left-handers Elvis Escobar and Blake Weiman and catcher Jason Delay to their minor league camp.
The Pirates have 54 active players in major league camp in Bradenton, Fla., with 25 pitchers, six catchers, 13 infielders and 10 outfielders. Of those players, 18 are nonroster invitees.
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