At the end of each season, Major League clubs hold instructional league play, commonly known as instructs, an extended mini-camp that allows Minor Leaguers -- particularly those just starting their pro careers at the lower levels of their team's system -- to get some work in before calling it a year. Players work on specific parts of their game and get offseason workout plans while often playing a handful of games against nearby teams to provide low-key competition to put what they are working on into practice.
Here's a look at the Pirates roster, with the players' rank in the team's Top 30 Prospects list in parentheses:
Instructional league rosters
PITCHERS: Luis Arrieta, RHP; Blake Cederlind, RHP; Sergio Cubilete, RHP; Yerry de los Santos, RHP; Matt Eckleman, RHP; Santiago Florez, RHP (No. 30); Oliver Garcia, RHP; Geoffrey Hartlieb, RHP; Steven Jennings, RHP (No. 12); Max Kranick, RHP; Travis MacGregor, RHP (No. 21); Deivy Mendez, RHP; Braeden Ogle, LHP; Denny Roman, LHP; Roger Santana, LHP; Hunter Stratton, RHP; Noe Toribio, RHP; Jacob Webb, RHP; Blake Weiman, LHP
CATCHERS: Jason Delay, Patrick Dorian, Arden Pabst, Deon Stafford (No. 29)
• Sanchez, Bucs prospects turn heads at instructs
INFIELDERS: Ji-Hwan Bae (No. 27), Michael Busby, Rodolfo Castro, Will Craig (No. 16), Oneil Cruz (No. 4), Mason Martin (No. 23), Hunter Owen, Cole Tucker (No. 5), Adrian Valerio
OUTFIELDERS: Fabricio Macias, Bligh Madris, Bryan Reynolds (No. 8),Lolo Sanchez (No. 10), Chris Sharpe, Conner Uselton (No. 15)
SCHEDULE
Thurs., Sept. 20 - at Blue Jays
Fri., Sept. 21 - Camp day
Sat., Sept. 22 - at Orioles
Mon., Sept. 24 - vs. Braves
Tues., Sept. 25 - at Yankees
Wed., Sept. 26 - vs. Phillies
Thurs., Sept. 27 - vs. Germany
Fri., Sept. 28 - at Phillies
Sat., Sept. 29 - at Braves
Mon., Oct. 1 - vs. Phillies
Tues., Oct. 2 - vs. Tigers
Wed., Oct. 3 - vs. Canada
Thurs., Oct. 4 - at Yankees
Fri., Oct. 5 - vs. Yankees
Sat., Oct. 6 - at Tigers
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