Which Pirates Are Attending PiratesFest?

Two former Cy Young Award winners will also come along in Doug Drabek (1987-92), who did it for the National League in 1990, and Vern Law (1950-51, 1954-67), who won the MLB Cy Young in 1960, when they didn't split it between leagues.

Seven current relief pitchers will join in with right-handers in Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson, Kyle Nicolas, Cam Sanders and Dennis Santana, plus left-handers in Evan Sisk and recently signed free agent Gregory Soto.

The Pirates will have four former alumni from the bullpen in closers like Matt Capps (2005-09), Jason Grilli (2011-14) and Kent Tekulve (1974-85), plus relief pitcher John Candelaria (1977-85).

Pittsburgh will have three catchers at PiratesFest in Joey Bart, rookie Rafael Flores and alum Michael McKenry (2011-13). Endy Rodgríguez, who has spent time with the Pirates as a catcher, is listed as a first baseman.

The infield has a few additions from this offseason, including second baseman Brandon Lowe in the trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, plus a free agent signing in slugger Ryan O'Hearn.

First baseman Spencer Horwitz, utility man Jared Triolo, first baseman/second baseman Enmanuel Valdez and second baseman Nick Yorke round out the infielders for the Pirates.

Right fielder Bryan Reynolds and center fielder Oneil Cruz, as well as Billy Cook and new addition Jake Mangum, in the trade with the Rays are some of the outfielders that will show up as well.

Two other Pirates position players alumni in second baseman Neil Walker (2009-15) and first baseman Kevin Young (1992-95, 1997-2003) will show up at PiratesFest.

Exciting Prospects Arriving in Pittsburgh

There are three prospects that haven't played for the Pirates yet, but could get a chance to do so in 2026 and will come to PiratesFest.

Second baseman Termarr Johnson was the Pirates 2022 MLB Draft selection, fourth overall out of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta Ga.

Johnson spent all of 2025 with Double-A Altoona, where he slashed .272/.363/.382 for an OPS of .745 in 119 games, with 118 hits, 67 runs, 15 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 35 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

MLB Pipeline and Baseball America both rank Johnson as the seventh best Pirates prospect.

Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez previously confirmed he would come to PiratesFest and he is on the list of players that will be there.

Valdez finished his 2025 season, slashing .286/.376/.520 for an OPS of .896 in 123 games, 131 hits, 25 doubles, two triples, 26 home runs, 86 RBIs and 56 walks to 130 strikeouts.

He spent time first with High-A Greensboro and then with Double-A Altoona, playing in the Futures Game.

Valdez earned honors for his play, including South Atlantic League MVP for his time in Greensboro and the Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year, given to the best minor league power hitter in the Pirates farm system.

His play didn't stop with the Pirates, as he also had a fantastic showing in the Arizona Fall League with the Salt River Rafters, winning Offensive Player of the Year honors and started for the National League in the Fall Stars Game in right field

Valdez slashed .368/.513/.842 for an OPS of 1.355 in 19 AFL games, with 19 runs scored, 21 hits, three doubles, eight home runs, 27 RBIs and 19 walks to 12 strikeouts.

The Pirates also added top 100 prospect in Jhostynxon García in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, which saw right-handed starting pitcher Johan Oviedo go the other way.

García slashed .267/.340/.470 for an OPS of .810 in 114 games across Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2024.

He then had a great season in 2025, slashing .271/.334/.498 for an OPS of .832, with 86 hits, 60 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples, 18 home runs, 58 RBI and 27 walks to 102 strikeouts.

García has a chance to make the Pirates Opening Day roster with a good showing Spring Training, as his power for a right-handed bat is desired.