Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryce Brentz was placed on waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, according to Liz Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The former first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox hit .250/.362/.350 with one home run in 47 spring plate appearances. He has 127 career minor-league home runs, including 31 last year, but he has been unable to stick in the majors due to injuries. With his power, however, it would not be surprising if another team snatched him up on waivers as a bench bat. As for the Pirates, the latest move, along with optioning Jordan Luplow to Triple-A earlier in the day, would seemingly give the last bench spot to first baseman Jose Osuna. Bloom notes the team may opt to carry only four bench players for the time being, though, so Osuna's spot is not guaranteed.
Boston Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski said outfielder Bryce Brentz has the inside track on the fourth outfielder job. Brentz has been in the minors for eight seasons but topped it off by hitting .271 with a career-high 31 homers and 85 RBI in 120 games with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2017, showing that he's ready for the promotion to the major leagues. In 87 at-bats at the major league level in 2014 and 2016, Brentz hit .287 with one homer and nine RBI. He's one to watch in deep mixed and AL-only leagues, as he could take on a bigger role eventually.
