Pirates invite Cole, Taillon to major league camp

Thursday, 17 January 2013 11:34

Written by Michael Sanserino

The Pirates have invited pitching prospects Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon to major league camp during spring training, the team announced this morning. Additionally, the team signed outfielder/1B Brad Hawpe and catcher Lucas May to minor league deals with non-roster spring training invitations. 

Cole was recently named the Pirates top prospect by Baseball America and finished the 2012 season in Class AAA Indianapolis. He also participated in major league camp last season. Cole, 22, went 9-7 with a 2.80 ERA in 26 starts last season. 

Taillon was named the team's second best prospect, according to Baseball America. He finished 2012 in Class AA Altoone and has a career 11-11 record, 3.72 ERA in 49 career minor league appearances. 

Hawpe, 32, last played in the major leagues with San Diego in 2011. He has a career .276 batting average in 893 career games with the Padres, Rockies and Rays. He participated in the Texas Rangers' spring training last season before being assigned to Class AA, where he hit .260 with three home runs. 

May, 28, has played in only 12 major league games. He has a .255 batting average in 859 career minor league games.