With the Pirates' making their second round of spring training cuts on Tuesday and today being their first official off day of spring training, I thought I'd take the time to put together my first roster projection of the spring.

To catch everyone up, 50 players remain in big-league camp. While top prospects Bubba Chandler, Termarr Johnson and Konnor Griffin were already sent to minor-league camp, Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows and Liover Peguero, and others were optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis yesterday. After throwing six innings of scoreless ball, Eddy Yean was also sent to minor-league camp yesterday. That still leaves plenty of players vying for an opening day roster spot. So, here's my first shot at predicting the Pirates' 2025 opening day roster.

Starting pitchers: Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bailey Falter, Andrew Heaney
This group might be the easiest group to predict for the 2025 season. At one point this spring, it looked as though a six-man rotation was possible with Johan Oviedo returning from Tommy John surgery but a right lat strain has delayed the big right-hander's return to the major leagues and his status won't be revisited until late March or early April. He was already going to be limited this year and could have an impact late in the year. However, this rotation still has a chance to be one of the best in baseball with Skenes, Keller and Jones at the front of the charge. Heaney and Falter are two lefties that will give opponents different looks as the Pirates could alternate righties and lefties. 

Bullpen: David Bednar, Colin Holderman, Dennis Santana, Kyle Nicolas, Tim Mayza, Caleb Ferguson, Carmen Mlodzinski, Justin Lawrence
Outside of Bednar, Holderman, Santana and Nicolas, there is still some opportunity for changes here. Bednar will settle back into the closer role with Holderman, Santana and Nicolas working high-leverage situations. Mayza and Ferguson are two lefties who have had decent springs. Ferguson can work in a variety of roles and could be an option to fill the role Luis L. Ortiz did last year. Mlodzinski could be a lock for the bullpen but there's the chance for him to start the season in Indianapolis and work as a starter. Lawrence is the Pirates' most recent addition and utilizes a unique arm slot that you won't see throughout the bullpen, but there are three to four other options behind him.

Tanner Rainey and Ryan Borcuki have both been solid since receiving non-roster invites to spring training. In six innings, Borucki hasn't allowed an earned run and has walked five while striking out six. Rainey has allowed just one earned run while striking out nine and walking two. I would've included Yean in this group as well before he was sent down. Peter Strzelecki and Joey Wentz could be other players who are out of options and would have to be designated for assignment if they don't make the opening day roster.

Designated hitter: Andrew McCutchen
Not going to overthink it, this one is simple.

Catcher: Joey Bart, Jason Delay
The back-up catcher situation could easily change before the Pirates head to Miami on March 27, but I'm going to start with Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez in Indianapolis. It allows them to play every day and possibly start working at different positions to ensure they can impact the lineup in multiple ways when they are eventually called up to the big leagues. Rodriguez is fully healthy but allowing him to develop an in-season rhythm again and play every day will be crucial for his return. Davis doesn't have anything left to prove in the minors, but it'd be more beneficial for him to play every day than playing every third or fourth day in the majors. However, if either player hits their way onto the roster, that will change. Bart has solidified himself as the starter and Delay is a solid defensive option behind the dish to start the season.

First base: Jared Triolo
This could go several different ways, but with Spencer Horwitz sidelined, I think Triolo is the safest bet to start at first base on opening day. DJ Stewart, Billy Cook, Adam Frazier, Darick Hall and Nick Yorke have all received starts at first during spring training and Derek Shelton has been adamant that it will be a competition that lasts throughout spring training. Triolo won a Gold Glove award for utility infielders last season and can be used all over the infield, which may allow Stewart or Cook to make a push and be an option there early on in the season so Triolo can fill in elsewhere if he's needed.

Second baseman: Nick Gonzales
The Pirates have a plethora of middle infielders but Gonzales has done nothing to relinquish his starting spot. He's playing solid defense and has been decent at the plate. Results don't mean much during spring training and Gonzales has put in work to develop more consistency for his first full season at the major-league level.

Shortstop: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
When Kiner-Falefa was acquired at the trade deadline last season, he bounced around the infield until Gonzales returned from a groin injury, then moved to shortstop when Oneil Cruz transitioned to center field. After spending a few seasons as a utility infielder, Kiner-Falefa will transition to shortstop full-time this season and is a lock to start there at the beginning of the season.

Third base: Ke'Bryan Hayes
I've said since the beginning of spring training that Hayes is feeling the best he's felt since suffering his back injury in 2022 but staying that way is crucial. He hasn't played since March 5 while dealing with some left-side tightness, which has nothing to do with his back injury, he told me, and he's building back up to play this weekend. If he's healthy, and can stay that way, he'll be the starting third baseman. If not, you'll see Triolo transition to third.

Outfield: Tommy Pham, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds
Barring any injuries or late additions, that will be your starting outfield on March 27 with Pham in left field, Cruz in center field and Reynolds in right field. I haven't seen enough from anyone else to overtake Pham in left field and don't see enough happening by the end of spring training to change that.

Bench: Billy Cook, Adam Frazier, Jack Suwinski
A lot could change within this group by the time the season starts, but you're looking for versatility to fill needs as the season carries on. Frazier can fill a lot of holes in both the infield and outfield and Cook can play both first and all three outfield spots. If the Pirates look to platoon at first base, Stewart could slide into this group as a left-handed hitting option because he can also play the outfield. Suwinski has done enough so far this spring to get back to the major-league level as a fourth outfielder.