Kevin Gorman stories, Page 104
For Pirates 1B Colin Moran, homering in home opener is tradition to treasure
While the first game of the season at PNC Park is traditionally called the home opener for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colin Moran celebrates it as a tradition to treasure for another reason. It is the day he always hits a home run, if not two. Since joining the Pirates as...
Reds pound Pirates for 17 hits to ruin Trevor Cahill’s debut in blowout loss
With Trevor Cahill making his Pittsburgh Pirates debut against Cincinnati Reds left-hander Wade Miley, it marked a matchup of crafty veteran pitchers. That’s what worried Pirates manager Derek Shelton. “The crafty pitcher is the one that gives a hitting coach nightmares,” Shelton said, “because you never know what you’re going...
Pirates notebook: Struggling Gregory Polanco gets a day off to work on timing at plate
Derek Shelton is acutely aware Gregory Polanco is scuffling at the plate, but that isn’t why the Pittsburgh Pirates manager didn’t start him in right field Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. Shelton said Polanco had a scheduled day off as the Pirates faced their first left-hander in Wade Miley....
Pirates pitcher Luis Oviedo dazzles in MLB debut, with punch out for punctuation
When Luis Oviedo took the mound in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs, he wasn’t in awe that he was pitching in his major league debut at Wrigley Field. Even if he had never pitched above Single-A, Oviedo is confident in his belief that this is exactly where he...
Ke’Bryan Hayes leaves with sore wrist, Pirates give up homers in loss to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrated when Ke’Bryan Hayes started the season with a bang by hitting a home run on Opening Day, as the rookie third baseman showed he could be a catalyst for the young club. So, it’s understandable that the Chicago Cubs capitalized when Hayes left the game with...
Cole Tucker, Jared Oliva left off Pirates’ alternate training site roster for ‘skills development’
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that their alternate training site will be comprised of 31 players who will play 13 games in April, though two players on their 40-man roster are conspicuously absent. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Saturday that shortstop Cole Tucker and outfielder Jared Oliva remain in Florida for...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Duane Underwood Jr. tone setter as Pirates bullpen shines in opener
It wasn’t lost on Duane Underwood when he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates that they opened the season against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, or that he could pitch against his former team. So there was no shortage of motivation for Underwood going from the Cubs to the...
Ke’Bryan Hayes’ home run highlights Pirates’ Opening Day win over Cubs
Ke’Bryan Hayes relished the idea of playing his first Opening Day at historic Wrigley Field, as well as a chance to show his sensational September debut was a foreshadowing of future stardom. With one swing, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie third baseman joined some rare company in club history. Hayes hit...
Pirates make roster moves before Opening Day, but don’t need to make any cuts
Thanks to a new addition, the Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t have to make a final roster cut on Opening Day. To get to the 26-man roster, manager Derek Shelton said the Pirates were placing left-handed pitcher Steven Brault (lat strain) on the 60-day injured list and right-hander Cody Ponce on the...
Pirates bullpen breakdown: Is Richard Rodriguez better suited for setup role?
Breakout candidate Luis Oviedo, RHP The Pirates project the 21-year-old as a future starter, but the Rule 5 Draft pick, acquired from the New York Mets via trade, will start his major league career in the bullpen. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder never has pitched above Single-A but has a four-pitch repertoire...
Making the Pirates ‘unbelievable’ for Mars alum David Bednar, who hopes to boost bullpen
When David Bednar made his pitch to make the Pittsburgh Pirates, it usually came down to a decision of whether to throw his four-seam fastball by hitters or make them chase his curveball. By recording 18 strikeouts, giving up three hits and one walk without allowing a run in 10...
After dazzling Pirates debut last season, Ke’Bryan Hayes steps into starring role before 1st Opening Day
Ke’Bryan Hayes already has established himself as one of baseball’s top prospects and a foundation piece upon which the Pittsburgh Pirates will build before ever experiencing an Opening Day in the major leagues. So, the 24-year-old can’t help but wonder what it will be like to stand along the first...
Pirates announce covid protocols for fans at PNC Park
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for spectators to return to PNC Park for home games this season, they announced numerous health and safety protocols and stadium policy changes for fans to follow. The protocols follow recommendations from the CDC, Allegheny Health Network and MLB during the covid-19 pandemic. Masks will...
Pirates starting pitching breakdown: Is JT Brubaker ready for a breakout season?
Breakout candidate JT Brubaker, the team’s 2018 minor league pitcher of the year, started last season in the bullpen before moving into the starting rotation when Mitch Keller went on the injured list. After missing most of the 2019 season with forearm issues, Brubaker went 1-3 with a 4.94 ERA...
Despite rocky spring, Pirates still counting on Mitch Keller to anchor starting rotation
When Derek Shelton named Chad Kuhl the Opening Day starter, the Pittsburgh Pirates manager refused to reveal the order for the rest of his starting rotation. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington clarified the situation somewhat, affirming he expects left-hander Tyler Anderson and righties JT Brubaker, Trevor Cahill and Mitch Keller...
Kevin Newman finishes spring training with .606 batting average as Pirates tie Twins
Kevin Newman didn’t know which was better, finishing with the best batting average in spring training history or never striking out in 39 plate appearances over 13 Grapefruit League games. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop didn’t want to choose. “I’ll take both of them, honestly,” said Newman, who batted an astronomical...
Days after opting out, Todd Frazier returns to Pirates on a minor league contract
Todd Frazier was out, but the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled him back in. Three days after opting out of his contract after being told he wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster, the 10-year veteran corner infielder signed a minor league contract to return to the Pirates. Frazier batted .250 (7 for...
Pirates put versatility of Erik Gonzalez, Phillip Evans on display in loss to Twins in home finale
The Pittsburgh Pirates showed how much they value the versatility of Phillip Evans and Erik Gonzalez by keeping them on the 26-man Opening Day roster. Both put theirs on display by playing out of their natural positions Monday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. Evans started in right field then moved...
Pirates name Chad Kuhl Opening Day starter, Kevin Newman wins SS job as roster shapes up
With the end of spring training in sight, the Pittsburgh Pirates are close to setting a starting lineup. One Opening Day certainty is Chad Kuhl will be on the mound at the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field. Pirates manager Derek Shelton named Kuhl the Opening Day starter, capping...
Pirates to use PNC Park, Heinz Field, Pitt’s Charles L. Cost Field as alternate training sites
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Monday that they will use three local venues as their alternate site facilities in April, as MLB has pushed back the start of the minor league season until May. The Pirates will use a locker room at Heinz Field to serve as their home clubhouse and...
Anthony Alford wins center field competition, as Pirates reassign Brian Goodwin in camp cuts
The center field competition has come to a close for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Anthony Alford appears to be the winner after they reassigned veteran Brian Goodwin on Monday morning. The Pirates also optioned right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb and reassigned infielder Wilmer Difo and right-handed knuckleballer Steven Wright to trim...
Pirates beat writer Kevin Gorman’s 2021 MLB awards, playoff predictions
NL MVP Juan Soto, Nationals The 22-year-old slugger followed a 34-homer, 110-RBI season in 2019 by blossoming into baseball’s most feared hitter, batting .351/.490/.695 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 37 RBIs in 47 games last year. The additions of Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber won’t allow teams to...
Chad Kuhl rusty in return; Kevin Newman keeps hitting as Pirates lose to Red Sox
It wasn’t so much that Chad Kuhl missed a start in spring training as it was that the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander skipped it to be with his wife Amanda for the birth of his first child, a boy they named Hudson. With 11 days between starts, it was no wonder...
GM Ben Cherington has transformed Pirates into top-10 farm system but ‘not satisfied at all’
Ben Cherington was adamant from his first day as general manager that his mission was to infuse the Pittsburgh Pirates with more talent, believing their minor leagues needed an overhaul. Where his trades of proven veterans Starling Marte, Josh Bell, Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon were viewed as a total...
Pirates middle infield prospects Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero a ‘very talented odd couple’
Liover Peguero watched Ozzie Smith sprint onto the field, do a handspring followed by a back flip while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. That’s when Peguero knew he wanted to play shortstop. “I used to be like, ‘Oh my God. I want to be like him,’” Peguero said. “I...
