Bae Ji-hwan (26) of the Pittsburgh Pirates has effectively secured a spot on the opening roster. DJ Stuart (32), a left-handed power hitter who seemed likely to make the opening roster as the starting first baseman candidate, is on the verge of leaving the team after being demoted to the minor leagues.

Bae Ji-hwan started as the ninth batter and center fielder in the final spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on 25th (Korea time), recording 0 hits in 2 at-bats with 1 run and 1 walk.

Bae Ji-hwan, who has seen a decline in batting performance with 0 hits in 6 at-bats over the last 3 games, finished the final 20 games of spring training with a batting average of .381 (16 hits in 42 at-bats), 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 13 runs, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts, 3 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .422, a slugging percentage of .595, and an OPS of 1.017. He recorded the most hits on the team and the highest batting average among players with more than 20 plate appearances.

After the game, Pittsburgh announced roster changes. Pitchers Thomas Harrington, Carson Fulmer, Birch Smith, Tanner RAY, and first baseman and outfielder Stuart have been sent down to the minor league camp. While Bae Ji-hwan, who was evaluated as unlikely to make the opening roster, has survived, Stuart's unexpected departure occurred.

According to the local media 'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,' Derek Shelton, the manager of Pittsburgh, noted, "The last spot for the bullpen and position players has not yet been determined," but with Stuart going to the minor leagues, Bae Ji-hwan's inclusion seems certain. Currently, there are 14 position players remaining in camp, and excluding Spencer Horwitz, who is likely to be placed on the injured list, there are 13 left. With a maximum of 13 pitchers allowed on a 26-man roster, a minimum of 13 position players is needed, so all position players remaining in Pittsburgh must be included in the opening roster.

'Pittsburgh Post-Gazette' also reported, "With Stuart going to the minor league camp, the last two spots for position players are expected to go to Jack Swinski and Bae Ji-hwan. Bae Ji-hwan achieved the team-leading 16 hits and 13 runs with a batting average of .381 and an OPS of 1.017 during spring training," expressing optimism about Bae Ji-hwan's inclusion in the opening roster.

With Bae Ji-hwan dramatically making it to the opening roster, Stuart is on the verge of leaving Pittsburgh. Stuart has an opt-out clause that allows him to leave the team if he does not make the opening roster. There is a high possibility he will reject the demotion to the minor leagues and seek opportunities with another team.

Drafted in the first round as the 25th overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2015 draft, Stuart made his Major League debut in 2018 but did not live up to expectations. He was traded to the New York Mets in 2023 but has been a failed prospect with disappointing numbers over 7 seasons: a batting average of .212 (179 hits in 845 at-bats) with 42 home runs, 118 RBIs, and an OPS of .729.

Stuart, who joined Pittsburgh in January under a minor league contract, was primarily used at first base during spring training. With Horwitz, who was acquired for the starting first base role, undergoing wrist surgery last month and requiring 6 to 8 weeks of rehabilitation, Pittsburgh needed first base resources. Although joining spring training as a non-roster invitee, Stuart received treatment as a starter. He started in 13 games, 8 at first base, 3 as designated hitter, and 2 in right field.

However, Stuart did not capitalize on the opportunity. He recorded a batting average of .250 (10 hits in 40 at-bats) with 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 7 runs, 4 walks, 16 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of .348, a slugging percentage of .450, and an OPS of .798 over 19 spring training games. Though not poor numbers, his strikeout rate of 34.8% was too high, and he did not have a strong impact as a starting first baseman. Hence, Pittsburgh decided to include both Bae Ji-hwan and Swinski, who seemed to have one backup spot available in the outfield. Utility player Jared Triolo is expected to take over first base until Horwitz returns from injury.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will take a break on the 26th and 27th, and then face the Miami Marlins in the opening game at LoanDepot Park on the 28th. The official announcement of Pittsburgh's opening roster, which is still deliberating on the bullpen, is expected to be made no later than the 27th. If Bae Ji-hwan is included, it will be after 2 years since 2023.

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