Pirates set 40-man roster
The Pittsburgh Pirates have added the following five players to the 40-man roster:
Elias Diaz (C) - One of the top catching prospects in the organization…Hit .312 (112-for-359) with 21 doubles, six home runs and 54 RBI in 101 minor league games in 2014…Spent majority of 2014 campaign with Double-A Altoona, where he batted .328 in 91 games…Named "Best Defensive Catcher" by coaches and managers of the Eastern League…Was selected to the Eastern League mid- and post-season All-Star teams…Participated in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .260 (13-for-50) in 15 games with Scottsdale…Venezuelan native was originally signed by Pittsburgh as a non-drafted free agent on 11/7/08.
Pedro Florimon (INF) - Was claimed off waivers today from Washington…Spent 2014 season in the Minnesota organization where he batted .257 in 85 games at Triple-A Rochester and made 31 appearances (26 starts) at shortstop with the Twins…Was claimed off waivers by Washington on 9/18…Switch-hitting Dominican native made his Major League debut with the Orioles in 2011 before spending last three seasons with Minnesota…Set big league career highs in 2013 with the Twins, hitting nine home runs and knocking in 44 runs in 134 games.
Willy Garcia (OF) - Spent entire 2014 season with Altoona, where he hit .271 (119-for-439) with 27 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 RBI…Was the starting left fielder in the Eastern League mid-season All-Star Game…Rated by Baseball America as having the "Best Outfield Arm" in the farm system prior to 2014 season and responded by setting an Altoona club record with 19 assists…Ranked fifth among Pittsburgh farmhands with 18 home runs in 2013…Dominican native was signed as a non-drafted free agent on 4/26/10…Is currently playing with Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League.
Nick Kingham (RHP) - Pittsburgh's fourth round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft...Split the 2014 season between Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis and went 6-11 with a 3.34 ERA (159.0ip/59er) and 119 strikeouts in 26 starts…Entered 2014 campaign ranked by Baseball America as Pittsburgh's fifth-best prospect (third-best pitcher) and as having the "Best Changeup" and "Best Control" in the system…Has produced a 3.29 ERA in 97 games (93 starts) during his five professional seasons.
Jameson Taillon (RHP) - Missed entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on April 9…Entered 2014 season ranked by Baseball America as the organization's top pitching prospect and the second-best in the system behind Gregory Polanco…Was an Eastern League mid-season All-Star while beginning the 2013 season with Altoona…Ranked third among Pittsburgh minor league pitchers with 143 strikeouts in 2013…Was the second overall selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft…Has been a mid-season All-Star in each of his first three professional seasons.
The Pirates have also designated catcher Ramon Cabrera and first baseman Ike Davis for assignment and outrighted infielder Brent Morel to Indianapolis. Pittsburgh's 40-man roster now contains 40 players (20 pitchers, 4 catchers, 9 infielders and 7 outfielders).