Kevin Gorman stories, Page 108
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates start spring training focusing on developing top prospects
After his first spring training as a major league manager was interrupted by baseball’s shutdown because of the covid-19 pandemic, Derek Shelton referred to the shortened summer camp in July as 2.0. Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates skipper is steering a club that is in total teardown into a spring training...
Previewing the Pirates: Team has bull’s-eye on the bullpen, searching for a closer
When asked in December if the Pittsburgh Pirates have a closer, Derek Shelton gave a point-blank answer that put a bull’s-eye on the bullpen. “As of right now,” Shelton said, “no, I really don’t think we do.” The Pirates didn’t have a closer last season, either, as two-time All-Star Felipe...
Working with Jack Wilson helps Pirates 1st-round pick Nick Gonzales find his own flash
The first day, the infield instructor kept close watch on the top-100 prospect with a vested interest, observing and analyzing every movement of the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Finally, Jack Wilson asked Nick Gonzales this question: Do you want to know what I see? The...
In revised spring training schedule, Pirates play 29 games in 31 days, 15 at LECOM Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced their revised spring training schedule, with 29 Grapefruit League games in 31 days starting with the opener on Sun., Feb. 28, at the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota and the home opener on Tues., March 2, against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park. The Pirates will play...
Previewing the Pirates: Despite departures, focus of starting rotation is on build up
While the Pittsburgh Pirates spent the offseason in teardown mode, parting ways with three starters from their 2019 rotation, their focus has been on building their pitching staff back up. After parting ways with their past two Opening Day starters in Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon and their leader in...
Pirates announce start times for 2021 schedule, with home games starting 30 minutes earlier
The Pittsburgh Pirates will open the 2021 season against the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. April 1 at Wrigley Field and host the Cubs for the home opener at 1:35 p.m. April 8 at PNC Park. The Pirates announced their revised game times for their 2021 season schedule Thursday, noting...
ESPN ranks Ke’Bryan Hayes baseball’s No. 6 prospect, 1 of 6 Pirates to make Top 100 list
Ke’Bryan Hayes received his highest ranking yet on a prospects list, as ESPN rated the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman at No. 6 overall when it released its Top 100 on Thursday. Hayes is one of six Pirates to crack ESPN’s Top 100 prospects list, joined by Oneil Cruz (28), Nick...
Pirates sign outfielder Brian Goodwin, adding veteran to competition in center field
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Brian Goodwin to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, adding much-needed veteran depth to the position. Goodwin will earn $1.6 million with up to $900,000 in bonuses if he makes the roster, a source told the Tribune-Review. Goodwin, 30,...
Pirates sign veteran catcher Tony Wolters to minor-league deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates added a veteran catcher known for his defense to their spring training roster by signing Tony Wolters to a minor-league contract Thursday. Wolters will earn $1.4 million if he makes the Pirates’ 26-man roster, a source told the Tribune-Review. Wolters, 28, spent the 2020 season with the...
Previewing the Pirates: Finding a starting center fielder key to completing outfield
Where the Pittsburgh Pirates once had an outfield filled with All-Stars and Gold Glove winners, they now can only dream about fielding one who can stay healthy and hit above the Mendoza line. That a light-hitting shortstop who switched positions in summer camp last July had the highest batting average...
Pirates’ minor league talent in middle of MLB, but analyst calls it a ‘system on the rise’
After adding an influx of prospects since Ben Cherington was hired as general manager, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor league talent ranks in the middle among MLB teams. One baseball analyst, however, called it a “system on the rise” upon releasing new farm system rankings Wednesday. New post for @TheAthletic subscribers...
Previewing the Pirates: Versatility the key to competition for starting spots in middle infield
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the start of spring training next week in Bradenton, Fla., the Tribune-Review takes a look at players in every position grouping. The Pittsburgh Pirates will start spring training with a handful of candidates who can play shortstop. Whether they have one who can separate...
Previewing the Pirates: With Ke’Bryan Hayes locked in at 3B, Colin Moran takes over at 1B
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the start of spring training next week in Bradenton, Fla., the Tribune-Review takes a look at players in every position grouping. When the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals, general manager Ben Cherington made it clear dealing the 2019 All-Star first...
MLB changing Pirates’ spring training schedule by creating pods for Grapefruit League teams
MLB is in the process of changing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training schedule by creating pods for Grapefruit League games that would separate teams by their sites on Florida’s east and west coasts to reduce cross-state travel concerns during the covid-19 pandemic. Changes that would affect the spring training schedule...
Previewing the Pirates: Finding backup to Jacob Stallings at catcher a top priority
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the start of spring training next week in Bradenton, Fla., the Tribune-Review takes a look this week at players in each of the position groupings. Derek Shelton remains steadfast in his belief the Pirates had the best defensive catcher in the National League last...
Pirates sign left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve to minor league deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates added a left-handed reliever to their bullpen Sunday when they signed Chasen Shreve to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Shreve will receive $1.5 million guaranteed if he makes the major league roster. An 11th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves...
For Pirates manager Derek Shelton, search for leadership starts with listening, learning
Derek Shelton is looking for leadership on the Pittsburgh Pirates, and believes the search starts from within. As Shelton prepares for his second spring training — and, fingers crossed, his first full season as Pirates manager — he will do so without three key players. First baseman Josh Bell and...
Disastrous Chris Archer trade comes full circle for Pirates as RHP returns to Tampa Bay
A trade that proved to be a colossal bust for the Pittsburgh Pirates has come full circle as an epic disaster, as pitcher Chris Archer chose Tuesday to return to the Tampa Bay Rays. Archer, 32, agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Rays pending a...
Pirates extend spring training invites to non-roster players, including 4 former No. 1 picks
Four former No. 1 draft picks are among the 26 non-roster players the Pittsburgh Pirates invited to spring training. Infielder Nick Gonzales, the No. 7 overall pick in 2020 who is ranked their top prospect by MLB Pipeline, right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester (2019), outfielder Travis Swaggerty (2018) and infielder Will...
Grant Jackson, Pirates’ winning pitcher in Game 7 of 1979 World Series, dies at age 78
With a signature smile and flashy style, what he called a “jive-time” fastball and the unwavering confidence to come out of the bullpen and throw scoreless innings, Grant Jackson made believers out of relievers. The left-hander left a legacy in Pittsburgh as the pitcher who earned the victory against the...
Pirates to allow limited number of fans at spring training games at LECOM Park
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Monday preliminary plans to host fans for spring training games at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., with approximately 25% of the 8,500-seat capacity available. The Pirates will make tickets available in seating pods of two to four per transaction, with a 6-foot distance required for safe...
MLB Pipeline ranks Ke’Bryan Hayes the No. 9 prospect, 3 other Pirates in Top 100 list
The Pittsburgh Pirates are rebuilding around Ke’Bryan Hayes, and the third baseman can now be billed as the franchise’s first-ever top 10 position player to make MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect list. MLB Pipeline unveiled its rankings Thursday night, and Hayes was ranked baseball’s No. 9 prospect. The honor came...
‘Thank you, Pittsburgh:’ Jameson Taillon writes long, fond farewell to Pirates fans, city
As he leaves town after being traded, Jameson Taillon wrote a long, fond farewell letter to the Pittsburgh Pirates, their fans and the city on MLB.com titled, “Thank you, Pittsburgh.” Taillon, 29, was traded Sunday to the New York Yankees for four prospects, rejoining former teammate Gerrit Cole for baseball’s...
Ke’Bryan Hayes leads Pirates prospects named top 10 at their position by MLB Pipeline
A handful of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects were named among baseball’s top 10 players at their positions by MLB Pipeline, including a pair at the same spot. Ke’Bryan Hayes was ranked second among third base prospects, and Nick Gonzales (No. 2) and Ji-Hwan Bae (9) were ranked among the second basemen....
Shakeup on 2nd line helps snap Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker out of scoring funk
The Pittsburgh Penguins looked to spark their second line by simplifying the game, with a directive from coach Mike Sullivan to put pucks on the net, crash the crease and make good things happen. Sullivan shook up the second line by putting Kasperi Kapanen on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing, opposite...
