Three Bucs prospects added to AFL roster

Three more prospects were added to the Arizona Fall League roster on Monday. Left-handed pitcher Nathan Baker and right-handers Michael Colla and Phillip Irwin will join the Mesa Solar Sox this off-season.

The Mesa Solar Sox will have top prospects from the Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. The season will kick off on October 4^th and run until November 17^th.

Baker, 23, spent the season with High-A Bradenton where he posted a 10-8 record with a 3.34 ERA in 29 games (25 starts). He walked 51 batters while striking out 105 in 148.1 innings this season. Baker was drafted in the 5^th round of the 2009 draft out of Ole Miss by Pittsburgh. He was ranked as the Pirates No. 17 overall prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2011 season.

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Colla, 24, sported a 5-11 record with a 3.70 ERA with Double-A Altoona this season. It was the first year since College that Colla had pitched in the starting rotation. Prior to this season, he was used as a reliever in the Pirates Minor League system. Colla finished ninth in the league with a 3.70 ERA, fifth with a 1.17 WHIP and third in batting average against among starters (.226).

Irwin, 24, posted a 5-0 record with a 2.03 ERA in 10 starts with High-A Bradenton before being promoted to Double-A Altoona in June. Irwin finished the season a combined 13-4 record and a 3.81 ERA over 140.2 innings. Irwin led the Pirates minor league system with 13 wins. His eight wins with the Curve (beginning on June 19^th) ranked tied for second among all Double-A pitchers. Irwin also allowed just one unearned run in his last two starts (12.0 innings) to finish off the season.

Baker, Colla and Irwin will join Infielders Jarek Cunningham, Brock Holt and Outfielder Robbie Grossman.

The Pirates still have one open spot remaining for a pitcher. According to the Pirates instructs roster, Pirates first round pick (No. 1 overall) right-hander Gerrit Cole was listed as attending the AFL, but nothing has been officially announced.

Since signing with the Pirates, Cole has been throwing at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., and will participate in the Instructional League for the first two weeks.

Photo credit: MILB