Pirates/MLB category, Page 125
For teenager Termarr Johnson, veterans like Rich Hill, 42, are best teachers at Pirates camp
BRADENTON, Fla. — Rich Hill is the graybeard of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a 42-year-old left-hander pitching for the 12th team in his 18-year major-league career. Monday’s first full-squad workout at Pirate City marked Hill’s 19th big-league spring training, an achievement he has learned to appreciate. “What matters the most to...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: With Bob Nutting present, Pirates ready for full-squad workouts
BRADENTON, Fla. — There was something different about the day before the first full-squad workout of spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting with the black Jaguar parked prominently at Pirate City. It belonged not to one of their high-priced veterans but rather the man who spent $30 million in...
Ji-Man Choi: ‘No hard feelings’ for Pirates after being blocked for WBC, losing in arbitrationVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Ji-Man Choi was traded, underwent surgery on his right elbow, was blocked from playing for Korea in the World Baseball Classic and lost his arbitration hearing. Safe to say, the Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/designated hitter was ready to put a turbulent offseason behind him when he reported...
Oneil Cruz working hard to stay at shortstop for Pirates, remain baseball’s biggest oddityVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Even as Oneil Cruz attempts to overcome an oxymoron — as a 6-foot-7 shortstop — he can’t escape the hyperbole of being compared to a mythical creature with magical powers. Cruz is known as baseball’s unicorn because of his unique blend of size, speed and power after...
With game of catch, Andrew McCutchen, Ke’Bryan Hayes begin bond as Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — It was a simple spring training game of catch but one that represented so much more for Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates. First and foremost, McCutchen finally felt back at home while wearing the black and gold colors at Pirate City for the first time in...
Pirates win arbitration hearing with 1B Ji-Man Choi, who will make $4.65M this season
The Pittsburgh Pirates won their arbitration hearing with first baseman Ji-Man Choi, who will be paid $4.65 million this season instead of the $5.4 million he requested. Acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade this past November, the 31-year-old has hit .239/.345/.429 with 61 home runs and 225 RBIs in...
Pirates GM: Door ‘will continue to be open’ for Bryan Reynolds on contract extension talks
DUNEDIN, Fla. — A day after Bryan Reynolds said he would be willing to waive his trade request if the Pittsburgh Pirates offer a contract extension that is a “fair deal for both sides,” general manager Ben Cherington responded by saying the door “will continue to be open.” At Grapefruit...
After shattering Statcast records as rookie, Pirates SS Oneil Cruz eyes exclusive clubs
BRADENTON, Fla. — Oneil Cruz showed as a rookie that one swing can do enough damage to shatter Statcast records, so the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop shared some lofty goals for his first full year in the major leagues. After flashing his unique blend of power and speed by hitting 17...
In search to stay healthy, show more power, Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes packs on muscleVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — After being bothered by back and hip pain, Ke’Bryan Hayes used his brains to add brawn. The Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman invested in a team of trainers in the offseason to focus on core stability and stay healthy. Hayes looked buff on the opening day of spring...
2023 Pirates spring training guide: Position breakdowns, prospects, analysis
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in Bradenton, Florida, this week as pitchers and catchers reported last week for the start of spring training. The whole team reported on Monday. TribLIVE sports writer Kevin Gorman will be covering the team throughout the spring. Previewing the Pirates: Starting pitchers Mitch Keller, JT Brubaker...
Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds opens up on his trade request: ‘I want a fair deal for both sides’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. — On the opening day of spring training, Bryan Reynolds stood in front of his locker and firm in his stance said he wants to be traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates, unless they are willing to offer a long-term contract that represents a “fair deal for both sides.”...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Watch for these prospects as Pirates spring training starts
When Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and catchers report to spring training Wednesday at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., the 67-man camp will include five prospects who aren’t likely to make the Opening Day roster but could finish the season at PNC Park. Here’s a look at those prospects: Endy Rodriguez The...
Pirates by Position: Around the horn as the Bucs get ready for spring training
The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Bradenton, Florida, this week as pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday. The whole team reports on Monday. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the players the Pirates have and what we can expect. Starting pitchers Mitch Keller expected to anchor starting rotation that added 2 veterans...
Pirates by Position: David Bednar expected to lead bullpen bolstered by offseason additions
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen, Derek Shelton won’t divulge defined roles. The Pirates manager has refused to call David Bednar the team’s closer, despite leading their relievers in saves (19) and strikeouts (69) and being selected an All-Star last season. “No, not really,” Shelton said of the...
Pirates by Position: Mitch Keller expected to anchor starting rotation that added 2 veterans
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been touting Mitch Keller as having top-of-the-rotation stuff since he was their top pitching prospect, but the right-hander struggled to show it in his first three major-league seasons. Keller finally gave a glimpse last season, when he led the Pirates in starts (29) and innings pitched...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Most pressing questions for Pirates entering spring training
Coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons for the first time since the 1950s, the Pittsburgh Pirates underwent a roster overhaul and spent $30 million on veterans in free agency. The turnover is dramatic, with only seven players remaining from the 26-man Opening Day roster from last season: closer David Bednar, right-handed...
Pirates by Position: Adding Andrew McCutchen creates competition in crowded outfieldVideo
In an offseason when the Pittsburgh Pirates weighed their outfield options, starting with whether to grant Bryan Reynolds’ trade request, one comment captured how much has changed. “I know we don’t talk lineups here,” manager Derek Shelton said of Andrew McCutchen, “but Opening Day he’s going to be in there.”...
Pirates by Position: Ke’Bryan Hayes dazzles at 3B but has yet to show power for the position
If the dazzling plays made by Ke’Bryan Hayes didn’t prove he was baseball’s best glove at third base, the measures of metrics made it clear he was the best defender in the game. “I’ve got a lot of confidence anytime a ball is hit over his way,” Pirates outfielder Bryan...
Florida school district pulls children’s book about Roberto Clemente off shelves
A large Florida school district has pulled an illustrated children’s biography of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente off its shelves to determine whether it is “developmentally appropriate for student use.” Duval County Public Schools, which includes the city of Jacksonville, said in a news release it is “taking further steps...
Pirates by Position: Oneil Cruz, Rodolfo Castro can make a case as starting middle infielders
Over the final five weeks of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates played Oneil Cruz and Rodolfo Castro together for 14 games and gave a glimpse of what could become their double-play pairing of the future. A defense featuring the young Dominicans — Cruz turned 24 in October, and Castro turns...
Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras reportedly added to Dominican Republic roster for WBC
A day after Ji-Man Choi was dropped from Korea’s roster in the World Baseball Classic after the Pittsburgh Pirates made a medical objection, the club appears to have given right-hander Roansy Contreras the OK to play in the WBC. Contreras was added to the roster of the Dominican Republic, per...
Pirates by Position: 1B, DH addressed with additions of Ji-Man Choi, Carlos Santana
Ben Cherington entered the offseason with the objective of improving the Pittsburgh Pirates at first base and designated hitter, and the general manager addressed both positions before the Winter Meetings. By trading for Ji-Man Choi and signing Carlos Santana in free agency, the Pirates added a pair of veteran sluggers...
Ji-Man Choi ‘devastated’ to be dropped from Korea’s WBC roster after Pirates’ objection
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi said he was “devastated” by the club making a medical objection that will keep him from playing for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. As reported by Yonhap News, Choi said he was “deeply hurt” by the Pirates’ decision, made out of health...
Pirates by Position: Counting on Austin Hedges at catcher until prospects are promoted
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the conundrum at catcher last season couldn’t be captured by one name, as they used eight players at the position. One game, however, told the tale. When backup Andrew Knapp was ejected from the dugout for arguing a call and starter Roberto Perez suffered a torn...
Pirates add 4 top-5 prospects to spring training as non-roster invitees
The Pittsburgh Pirates added 17 players as non-roster invitees to spring training in Bradenton, Fla., including top-five prospects Henry Davis, Termarr Johnson, Quinn Priester and Nick Gonzales. It marks the first spring training for Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Davis (2021), Priester (2019) and...
