Pirates/MLB category, Page 163
Pirates GM Ben Cherington gets creative with unconventional approach to minor league hires
The Pittsburgh Pirates are proving they aren’t afraid to take an unconventional approach to player development through the makeover of their minor league affiliates over the past two years. From hiring former major league catcher-turned-mental skills coach John Baker to run their farm system to seeking new voices from outside...
Baseball Prospectus includes 5 Pirates in its Top 101 rankings, including 4 in top 40
Ben Cherington warned that there is “no single piece of perfect feedback,” but the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager welcomed word of the club’s prospects earning top-100 national rankings this week. When Baseball America ranked six Pirates among its Top 100 prospects on Wednesday, Cherington viewed it as a “signal of...
Pirates GM: No plans to hire another coach to replace Glenn Sherlock on Derek Shelton’s staff
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost a member of Derek Shelton’s coaching staff when Glenn Sherlock left to become Buck Showalter’s bench coach with the New York Mets, but general manager Ben Cherington doesn’t expect to add another coach to replace Sherlock. Cherington said Wednesday afternoon that between third-base coach Mike Rabelo,...
With 6 players ranked in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, Pirates tied for tops in MLB
Baseball America ranks six Pittsburgh Pirates among its top 100 prospects in 2022, tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the most among MLB teams. The Pirates have one prospect in Baseball America’s top 20 in shortstop Oneil Cruz (No. 14) and three in the top 50, with Cruz, catcher Henry...
Former Pirates Triple-A pitching coach Joel Hanrahan takes job with Washington Nationals
When Joel Hanrahan left the Pittsburgh Pirates organization after five seasons — not long after being honored as their top minor league coach — he tweeted that he was “looking forward to a new challenge and opportunity.” Hanrahan found it with the Washington Nationals, where he will serve as the...
Pirates sign 19 international prospects, including Taiwanese right-handed pitcher
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the signings of 19 international prospects from six countries, including a pair of 16-year-old Dominicans ranked as two of MLB Pipeline’s top 12 prospects and a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher from Taiwan. Tony Blanco Jr., a 6-foot-6, 230-pound outfielder ranked No. 11 by MLB Pipeline, is the...
Former Pirates lefty, wild-card winner Francisco Liriano announces retirement after 14 seasons
Former Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano, the winning pitcher in their 2013 wild-card win over the Cincinnati Reds, announced his retirement Monday after a 14-year major league career. Liriano, 38, had a 112-114 record and 4.15 ERA in 1,813⅔ innings over 416 games (300 starts) for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago...
Pirates lose another coach, as Glenn Sherlock leaves to join Mets as bench coach
Glenn Sherlock is leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates to become the New York Mets bench coach under manager Buck Showalter, rejoining the club where he spent three seasons. MLB Network first reported that Sherlock was joining the Mets. Sherlock was the most veteran member of Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s staff, with...
Pirates add pair of Dominican prospects to start international signing period
The Pirates signed two of MLB Pipeline’s top 12 international prospects Saturday, adding a pair of 16-year-old Dominicans: outfielder Tony Blanco and shortstop Yordany De Los Santos. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported that the Pirates signed Blanco for $900,000 and De Los Santos for $1.2 million. The Pirates have a...
Pirates announce player development hires, promotion of minor league managers
The Pittsburgh Pirates rewarded the successful seasons of two minor-league managers by moving them up a level, promoting Miguel Perez to Triple-A Indianapolis and Kieran Mattison to Double-A Altoona. The Pirates announced their player development staff moves Wednesday, a shuffling that will provide coaching continuity for some of their top...
Former Pirates 2B Eddie ‘The Fiddler’ Basinski, baseball’s 2nd-oldest player, dies at 99
Eddie Basinski was a classically trained violinist who drew acclaim and the nickname The Fiddler, and later in life found more fame as baseball’s second-oldest living player. A second baseman who played in the majors for the Brooklyn Dodgers during World War II and spent part of one season with...
New Pirates hitting coach Andy Haines likes to ‘see the game from the player’s lens’
After experiencing both success and struggles in three “eventful” seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Andy Haines is embracing the challenge of impacting the Pittsburgh Pirates as their new hitting coach. Haines discussed his passion for and approach to hitting and the different dynamics of offense as a “very individualized game...
Year in Review: Pitt’s run to ACC championship among top Pittsburgh sports stories
A look back at the 2021 Pitt football season is put in its best perspective by comparing it to 2020. A year ago, Pitt football was plagued by a preseason All-American who opted out, another who quit in mid-season, a quarterback who missed two important games with an ankle injury,...
Pirates make history by hiring 1st female uniformed coach in Caitlyn Callahan
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have their first female coach in uniform in club history in Caitlyn Callahan, who has been hired as a minor league developmental coach based out of Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. The Pirates have yet to announce the move, as they continue to redefine coaching roles...
Former Pirates coach Kimera Bartee collapses, dies at age 49
Kimera Bartee, who coached for 12 seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, died suddenly Monday. He was 49. Bartee served nine years as the Pirates minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator and three seasons as first base coach on Clint Hurdle’s staff. Bartee coached for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 and currently...
Pirates hire 3 minor league coaches, as roles are redefined, shifted throughout system
As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to redefine and shift roles in their minor league system, they have hired three new coaches who all have experience playing in the major leagues. Dewey Robinson will be named special advisor for pitching development. Robinson, 66, has more than four decades of coaching experience,...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton stresses development with coaching staff changes
Calling development the lifeblood of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Derek Shelton formally announced the shuffling of his coaching staff Thursday, adding two new members and putting two of the men he trusts the most in charge of the duties of one of his former assistants. Andy Haines was named hitting...
Triple-A pitching coach Joel Hanrahan leaving Pirates to ‘look for other opportunities’
Less than two months after being named the organization’s minor league coach of the year, Joel Hanrahan announced Wednesday on Twitter that he is leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates. A two-time All-Star closer who pitched for the Pirates from 2009-12, Hanrahan was the pitching coach for their Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis...
Report: Former Pirates RF Gregory Polanco nearing deal to play in Japan next season
Former Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco, a one-time top prospect who became a lightning rod for fans, is reportedly close to signing a contract to play in Japan next season. Dominican sports writer Tenchy Rodriguez reported on Twitter that a deal with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball...
Pirates A to Z: Jose Quintana set on showing he still has the stuff to be a starting pitcher
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, with the final week focusing on players added after the season ended. Player: Jose Quintana Position: Pitcher Throws: Left Bats: Right Age: 32 Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 220 pounds 2021 MLB statistics:...
Former Pirates manager Clint Hurdle joins Rockies as special assistant to general manager
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies are bringing Clint Hurdle back to serve as a special assistant to general manager Bill Schmidt. Hurdle, who managed the Rockies to the World Series in 2007, will help with player development and the first-year player draft in his new role. “Clint has a long...
Pirates A to Z: Roberto Pérez expected to provide pop, experience behind the plate
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, with the final week focusing on players added after the season ended. Player: Roberto Pérez Position: Catcher Throws: Right Bats: Right Age: 32 Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 220 pounds 2021 MLB statistics:...
First Call: Oddsmakers favor Mason Rudolph as Steelers’ starting QB in 2022; unhappy Pirates anniversary remembered
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the future of the Steelers’ quarterback position and a page from the Pirates checkered past. A Western Pennsylvania product with major influence in the college sports world is getting a new gig. And the Philadelphia Flyers are just a mess. Isn’t it great? Money on...
Pirates add 3 minor leaguers in Rule 5 Draft, lose 2 without sacrificing any top-30 prospects
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected three players and lost two Wednesday in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft but managed to escape without sacrificing any top-30 prospects. The Pirates used three of their four available picks, adding relief pitchers Zach Matson and Nic Laio and corner infielder Jacob...
Pirates A to Z: Liover Peguero’s performance matched his personality at High-A Greensboro
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, with the final week focusing on players added after the season ended. Player: Liover Peguero Position: Shortstop Throws: Right Bats: Right Age: 20 Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 200 pounds 2021 MLB statistics:...
