The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the signing of seven minor league free agents through a team press release. Four of the signings we already knew about, as the official announcement was made on Darren Ford, Jared Goedert, Anderson Hernandez, and Stefan Welch. The Pirates also signed right-handed pitcher Ryan Reid, and re-signed infielder Jeff Larish and left-handed pitcher Kris Johnson. Ford, Goedert, Hernandez, Reid, and Johnson all received non-roster invites to Spring Training.
Reid spent the 2012 season in Tampa Bay’s organization. The 27-year-old had a 3.52 ERA in 79.1 innings last year in Triple-A, along with a 9.0 K/9 and a 3.2 BB/9 ratio. Most of that time was spent in the bullpen, although Reid made three starts.
Larish was signed by the Pirates last year, and spent time in Indianapolis. In 181 at-bats in Triple-A he had a .182/.308/.298 line.
Johnson spent the 2012 season in the Pirates’ organization, moving between Double-A and Triple-A, and making a few starts at each level. He had a 2.09 ERA in 56 innings in Double-A, and a 4.53 ERA in 45.2 innings in Triple-A.
Of the new names, Reid is the most interesting due to his high strikeout and walk ratios. He could provide the team with some bullpen depth. Larish and Johnson are upper level organizational guys.
