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Pirates Release Eight Players From Minor League Camp

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The Pittsburgh Pirates released eight players from minor league camp today. There weren’t any big names on the list in terms of high draft picks or big bonus players. The names of the players, along with information on each guy, are as follows.

Danny Collins – He was drafted in the 13th round of the 2013 draft, and looked like an interesting guy due to his power potential. The power never translated to pro ball, and he was passed up at first base by Edwin Espinal. He would have had trouble finding playing time in Bradenton this year, with Espinal and Osuna splitting time at first base and DH. He played right field in the past, but the Bradenton outfield will also be crowded.

Remy De Aza – He made the jump to the GCL last year, pitching in relief. De Aza struggled at every level, and while he showed improvements with his walk rate last year, it was still a high number at a 5.6 BB/9.

Raul Fortunato – The most notable thing about Fortunato’s career was a 37 game hitting streak in the DSL in 2011. He was a toolsy player, but never managed to hit in his jump to the US. He struggled in Bradenton last year, and probably would have returned to the level this year, where he would have had a hard time finding playing time in the outfield.

Will Kendall – The left-hander was taken in the 30th round of the 2013 draft, but went down with an arm injury in mid-May and didn’t return. He wasn’t able to return to throwing this Spring either.

Taylor Lewis – Lewis was the highest draft pick of this group, going in the 10th round of the 2011 draft. He’s a toolsy outfielder, but was never able to hit in pro ball, struggling at the plate in Bradenton last year. He would have had a hard time finding playing time in the Bradenton outfield this season, and wasn’t really a candidate to move up to Altoona.

Joan Montero – He’s a hard throwing right-hander with no control. Montero reached Altoona last year, but was hit hard, and continued walking too many hitters. His ability to hit the upper 90s was intriguing, but the control never came around.

Colter Moore – He was a non-drafted free agent last year, and struggled in four games with Bristol. Moore looked like an organizational guy in the lower levels, and was probably pushed out due to a crowded West Virginia pitching staff.

Cory Rhodes – Another non-drafted free agent from last year who struggled in a brief time with Bristol. He’s basically in the same situation as Moore, projecting as an organizational player, with no room in the A-ball pitching staffs.

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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