The Pirates announced a slate of 13 non-roster invitees to spring training Monday, revealing within that they’ve signed right-hander Burch Smith and outfielder Bryce Johnson to minor league contracts.
Smith, 35 in April, split the 2024 season between the Marlins and Orioles, pitching to a combined 4.95 ERA with a below-average 19.1% strikeout rate but a superlative 5% walk rate. The Truth Sports client averaged 94.9 mph on his heater and kept the ball on the ground at a 43.9% clip that’s nearly two percentage points north of the league average of 42.2%.
Originally a 14th-round pick by the Padres back in 2011, Smith has pitched for seven big league teams across parts of six major league seasons. He’s pitched all over the globe, including a brief appearance with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization in 2023, a solid run with the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball in 2022, and some work with los Gigantes de Cibao in the Dominican Winter League as well.
In 247 1/3 big league innings, Smith has a 5.79 ERA, although it’s worth pointing out that the 2024 version of Smith looks far different from the version we saw in the majors between 2013-21. He’s throwing harder than he ever did early in his career, when he averaged 93.1 mph on his fastball from 2013-21. He’s also scrapped his changeup and sinker — both offerings he once leaned upon heavily — in favor of a four-pitch mix including a four-seamer, cutter, curveball and sweeper (used in that order of frequency). Smith’s ground-ball rate climbed by more than eight percentage points with that new-look arsenal, while his 5% walk rate was less than half the 10.1% rate he showed over his first five MLB campaigns.
Smith will give the Bucs some veteran bullpen depth and compete for one of the final spots in Pittsburgh’s relief corps this spring. At least five spots feel locked into place with now with David Bednar, Colin Holderman, Dennis Santana, Carmen Mlodzinski and free-agent signee Caleb Ferguson all staking their claim.
Righty Kyle Nicolas was solid for 54 1/3 innings last year (3.95 ERA) but walked too many hitters (12.8%) and has minor league options remaining. DFA pickups Joey Wentz (claimed last September) and Peter Strzelecki (acquired for cash this offseason) are both out of minor league options and will need to make the Opening Day club or else be removed from the 40-man roster themselves. Others in the running could include Elvis Alvarado (on the 40-man roster) and non-roster invitees Yohan Ramirez, Tanner Rainey, Yerry Rodriguez, Isaac Mattson and Eddy Yean.
Turning to the 29-year-old Johnson, he’ll give Pittsburgh some depth at a corner outfield spot where they’ve been seeking help throughout the offseason. He’s played in each of the past three big league seasons, spending time with both the Giants and Padres, but carries a tepid .177/.248/.226 slash over a small sample of 140 major league plate appearances.
Those numbers clearly don’t impress, but Johnson also had his best Triple-A season in 2024, hitting .288/.407/.431 with the Padres’ El Paso affiliate. He’s played in parts of four Triple-A campaigns and touts a sharp .286/.381/.429 slash. Johnson is lacking in power — he hasn’t reached a double-digit homer total since hitting ten round-trippers across three minor league levels in 2019 — but he’s been a fleet-footed on-base machine in the minors. The former sixth-rounder (Giants, 2017) has walked in 10.9% of his minor league plate appearances, including an 11.6% clip in his four Triple-A seasons. He’s 181-for-226 in minor league stolen base attempts (80%) and has a trio of 30-steal seasons under his belt. Last year, he went 20-for-23 in just 74 games at the Triple-A level.
As things stand, the Pittsburgh outfield will have Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz locked into two of the three spots (with Cruz set in center field, in particular). Joshua Palacios, Jack Suwinski, Ji Hwan Bae and Billy Cook are all on the 40-man roster and hoping for outfield at-bats. The Pirates have also been looking outside the organization, though, with recent reports indicating interest in Alex Verdugo and Randal Grichuk.
ATL beat writer, Mark Bowman, is reporting that ATL nixed a deal to Jeff Hoffman, after also failing a physical based on his shoulder, along with BAL.
Not sure what the deal was, but I’m sure it was similar to Rey Lopez’s and would have allowed him to start in the rotation then giving them flexibility to move young arms in the rotation (and Hoffman to the ‘pen, if needed), easing Strider back into the rotation come June.
this is a Pirates article, the Braves are elsewhere
This was posted before MLBTR’s article on the info. Not trying to hijack a post, please resume.
Wrong Bryce johnson linked
And this concludes the offseason for the Bucs
Least “Burp” Smith won’t be returning to orioles!
Sonovaburch!
Smith seems like an interesting addition. Decent xFIP and SIERA, barely walked anyone, 106 Stuff+. Worse relievers to stash at Triple-A.
Whats odd is that the Pirates have more of a chance to make the Super Bowl than the steelers next year :-p (/s)
I love these less notable pickups but they really need to make a move that actually appears that the pirates are making a push.
I think they made enough moves to be better in 2025 even if it doesn’t reflect in team record but not enough to get excited.
the only thing to get excited about this season is every time Skenes takes the mound and that baseball is played when it’s warm outside
Other than that it’s been yet another bottom feeding off season by the cheapest franchise in baseball
So exciting…
Yes. Johnson and his .177 batting average will really help the team to finish in last place again
Just add a good RF bat & I’ll feel like wow they made an effort to improve this team. DON’T waste the window you have with this great core of young pitchers, that would be a damn shame.
Roster is up to 39 now.
The writer did not mention Dauri Moreta who,like Oviedo,hopefully is good to go this year.