Pirates invite four players to big league camp

The Pittsburgh Pirates have invited the following four players to Major League Spring Training, which is scheduled to begin February 13 in Bradenton, Florida.

Matt Hague (1B) - Hit .285 with 37 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 69 RBI in 142 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season ... Led the International League in at bats (536) games played and hits (153) while finishing tied for the league lead in doubles in 2013 ... Hit .313 with four doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI in 17 games while playing in the Dominican Winter League for Toros del Este ... Has spent his entire career with the Pirates organization after being selected in the ninth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Carlos Paulino (C) - Hit a combined .222 with nine doubles, four triples and 40 RBI in 102 games last year with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis ... .Will be attending big league camp as a non-roster invitee for the second straight season with the Pirates ... Threw out 40 runners attempting to steal against him while playing with Altoona, which ranked second among all Eastern League backstops.

Jameson Taillon (RHP) - Enters the 2014 season ranked as Pittsburgh's second-best prospect according to Baseball America ... Will be attending big league camp for the second straight season with the Pirates ... Went 5-10 with a 3.73 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 26 minor league games (25 starts) between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis last season ... Ranked third among all Pirates minor leaguers in strikeouts in 2013 ... Was selected by Pittsburgh with the second overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Zack Thornton (RHP) - Went 7-3 with five saves, a 2.63 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 42 combined games (one start) in 2013 between High-A Bradenton, Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis ... Also went 0-0 with one save and a 3.07 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11 relief appearances with Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League ... Has a career record of 18-9 and has posted a 3.09 ERA in 149 appearances (one start) since making his professional debut in 2010 ... Was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 23rd round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft before being acquired by Pittsburgh in a deal for pitcher Chris Resop on November 30, 2012.

The Pirates have now invited a total of 16 players to big league camp this year.