Every MLB team will bring a handful of non-roster invitees to spring training. The Pittsburgh Pirates have the most notable NRI, with consensus number-one prospect Konnor Griffin. Griffin has a legitimate chance of earning an Opening Day roster spot with the Pirates. However, he isn’t the only noteworthy non-roster invitee the Pirates currently plan on bringing into spring camp. The Bucs are seeing what a few other noteworthy names can do this pre-season.

Non-Konnor Griffin Pirates Non-Roster Invitees Worth Watching in Spring Training
Mike Clevinger

Mike Clevinger once looked like one of baseball’s brightest emerging starting pitchers. From 2017 through 2020, the right-hander owned a 2.96 ERA, 3.39 FIP, and 1.15 WHIP over 489 1/3 innings with the then-Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres. He was striking out 29% of opponents, with a solid 0.96 HR/9 ratio. Hard contact wasn’t a problem for Clevinger either, with an 87 MPH exit velocity and 6.1% barrel rate. His 9% walk rate was slightly worse than league average, but it was the only blemish on his report card.

Sep 30, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

However, constant injuries and off-field issues have derailed Clevinger’s once-promising career. Since 2021, Clevinger has only pitched 267 1/3 innings with the Padres and Chicago White Sox. In that time, he has worked to a 4.28 ERA, 4.74 FIP, and 1.28 WHIP. His K% has fallen to 19.2%, and he has a 1.35 HR/9 ratio with a 8.7% barrel rate. Of the few positives, he has cut his walk rate down to 8%.

The Pirates have signed Mike Clevinger to a minor league deal.

The veteran right hander looked good in lives and could turn into a sneaky solid pickup
pic.twitter.com/hx7uJAlBET

— Behind the Bucs (@BehindTheBucs) February 4, 2026

Clevinger spent most of 2025 with the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate. He had an unimpressive 4.20 ERA, with a 21.5% K%, and a 1.52 HR/9 ratio over 100 innings of work. He also pitched 5 2/3 innings in the Majors, allowing five earned runs, eight walks, and just two strikeouts. The Pirates recently signed Clevinger to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. While he likely won’t break camp with the Pirates, he has some of the most MLB success of any pitcher currently in the organization.

Noah Murdock

The Pirates picked up Noah Murdock on a minor league deal in November. The right-hander was a recent Rule 5 draft pick, as the Athletics took him third overall from the Kansas City Royals. Murdock pitched in 17 big league innings and struggled badly. He allowed 25 earned runs with 20 walks in a small sample size.

The A’s eventually returned Murdock to the Royals in May. His control issues weren’t a major surprise. In 2024, Murdock had a solid 3.76 ERA and 27% strikeout percentage for the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate. However, he also walked 15.4% of opponents. On the plus side, Murdock’s pitch quality is high-end.

Murdock grades out highly in the eyes of FanGraphs’ Stuff+. They pin him at 109. His sinker sits mid-90s and tops out around 97 MPH. His cutter, sweeper, and change-up all induced a whiff at least a third of the time. He also has a low arm slot with above-average extension off the mound, adding another deceptive layer to his game.

Murdock’s Stuff+ mark would have been the second-highest among Pirates pitchers who threw at least 10 innings in 2025. He would have been tied with top prospect Bubba Chandler, and trailed just now former Pirates reliever Colin Holderman. It’s hard to find a non-roster invite with as good a pitch quality as Murdock has.

Omar Alfonzo

While Clevinger and Murdock are more than likely depth additions, Omar Alfonzo is a legitimate prospect. The young backstop kicked off 2025 in a big way, with a .261/.389/.440 triple-slash at High-A Greensboro. He hit 11 home runs in only 284 plate appearances, and drew a free pass at an exceptional 15.5% rate. His biggest weakness was strikeouts, with a 27.8% K%. Overall, he had an outstanding 141 wRC+ and .388 wOBA.

FIRST HOMER OF THE SEASON!! Thank you Omar Alfonzo

Hoppers: 5 | Tourists: 0 pic.twitter.com/tjn87Qcztu

— Greensboro Grasshoppers (@GSOHoppers) April 5, 2025

That earned him a promotion to Double-A Altoona, but he struggled over 198 trips to the plate. Alfonzo only batted .218/.302/.335 with a .300 wOBA, and 86 wRC+. He still carried a respectable 9.8% walk rate. However, his already mediocre strikeout rate jumped to 30.1%. His power also dissipated. Alfonzo only hit three more home runs and registered an ISO of .118 at Altoona.

For what it’s worth, though, Alfonzo was only in his age-21 season and was the 19th youngest player at Double-A with at least 190 plate appearances. He still ranks among the Pirates’ top 15 prospects on Baseball America, coming in at 13th. A rebound could make the Pirates’ outlook behind the dish that much brighter, and it could all start with a promising spring training as a non-roster invitee.

 

Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports