Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 draft of unprotected minor league players takes place on December 8th, but today is the deadline for teams to set their 40-man roster. With one of baseball’s best farm systems, the Pirates will likely lose some of their top talent in the draft.
MLB.com lists one prospect from each team that it considers to be the best player a team could potentially lose, and for the Pirates, that is 2018 number-one draft pick Travis Swaggerty. The outfielder was taken 10th overall but missed the 2020 season because of the covid situation canceling minor league baseball and he missed most of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June.
The Pirates have cleared three spots on the 40-man roster this week and have at least five other players who may be dropped to open even more space.
MLB
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani yesterday became the 11th player in American League history to win the MVP Award by a unanimous vote. The pitcher/designated hitter was 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA on the mound and hit .257 with 46 home runs and 100 runs as a batter.
The Phillies’ Bryce Harper won his second MVP award in the National League. Harper had 17 of the 30 votes by the Baseball Writers of America, edging out the Nationals’ Juan Soto. Harper hit .309 with 35 homers.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said last night that there could be a player lockout once the collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1st.
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