When the Pittsburgh Pirates broke camp in 2024, they added top prospect Jared Jones to their Opening Day roster. It was a scarce sight for a team that usually dabbles in service time manipulation for their top rookies. The Pirates will likely leave camp in 2026 with at least one rookie, Bubba Chandler, in the rotation. They should also give 40-man newbie Antowne Kelly a chance to lock down a rotation spot, similarly to Jones.
After a handful of middling years in the low levels of the minor leagues, Kelly had a massive breakout in 2025.