According to the MiLB-Transactions page on Twitter, 25 players in the Pittsburgh Pirates system have elected for free agency today. Of these 25 players, 3 have appeared in major league play for the Pirates over the past couple of years.

The most notable ones to elect for free agency are Yerry de Los Santos (3.33 ERA, 18 SO, 1.233 WHIP, 135 ERA+ in 24 innings for the Pirates in 2023), Cal Mitchell (-0.4 WAR, .222 BA, 80 OPS+, 5 home runs in 69 career games for the Pirates) and former top prospects in the system Tahnaj Thomas and Mason Martin. Other notable names include Caleb Smith (relief pitcher with 147 games pitched in the majors), Chavez Young (acquired from Toronto in a trade for Pitcher Zach Thompson), and Ryan Vilade (waiver claim from the Rockies and member of the Pirates 40-man roster last season).

This does not change the Pirates’ 40-man roster but does leave a sizable hole in minor league depth that General Manager Ben Cherington will have to address this offseason through the minor leagues rule 5 draft and other small free agent signings. @EthanHullihen on Twitter (give him a follow) also notes that the Pirates resigned Catcher Abrahan Gutierrez, and have Joe Perez and Geronimo Franzua on multi-year deals to stay in the Pirates organization.