The Pittsburgh Pirates begin their first steps toward the 2016 season as they open their annual mini-camp today in Bradenton, Florida.
Joining the club will be new relief pitching acquisition Daniel Bard. Bard signed a minor-league deal with the team and will attend spring training.
Bard made his name as a reliever for the Boston Red Sox. He had some effective years, most notably 2010 in which he posted a 1.93 ERA in 73 appearances. After an attempt to convert him into a starter in 2012 left him with a 6.22 ERA and a 0.88 SO/W (strikeout-to-walk) ratio, Bard was released. After failing to catch on with the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, Bard comes to the Pirates as possibly the greatest test of the Ray Searage reclamation methodology.
The team will also get first looks at key off-season acquisitions John Jaso and Jon Niese. For Jaso, the extra time will be valuable as he continues to learn the first base position. Despite playing in just two games there for his career, Jaso was signed as a first baseman, obstensibly to platoon with Michael Morse.
In Niese, Searage will have his first chance to dig in and work with the team’s number three starter. Niese comes to the Pirates with a varied pitch selection, and it will be curious to observe any palpable changes that Searage may affect.
Notable prospects in attendance will include Tyler Glasnow, Josh Bell and Jameson Taillon. The mini camp session will allow the team to begin to gauge their major-league readiness. Bell and Glasnow are expected to contribute to the major-league club in some capacity in 2016, whether that be due to injury replacement or a mid-to-late season callup.
In the case of Taillon, who has not pitched in an affiliated game since 2013 due to injury, the team will be able to identify where the young pitcher is at in his recovery. Previous to numerous injuries, including a hip injury and elbow troubles that required Tommy John surgery, Taillon was on track to make his major league debut sometime in 2016.
