The Pirates have sent ten more prospects to the minors: infielders Brian Friday and Chase D’Arnaud, outfielders Andrew Lambo, Alex Presley and Gorkys Hernandez, and pitchers Danny Moskos, Tony Watson, Ramon Aguero, Aaron Thompson and Jeff Locke. None were expected to compete for big-league job out of Spring Training.
The best prospects in that group are Lambo, D’Arnaud and Locke. Lambo and D’Arnaud both appear headed to Class AAA Indianapolis. The Pirates have assigned Locke, who was acquired in the Nate McLouth trade, to Class AA Altoona, even though he pitched very well at that level late last year. They still aren’t ruling out the possibility that he could begin the season at Indianapolis, but given that he’s being assigned to Altoona and that Indianapolis’ rotation will be really crowded, the best bet right now is that he’ll begin the season at Class AA.
There are still 44 players in camp.