Kevin Gorman stories, Page 108
New Pirate Brian Goodwin hopes to get last laugh in center field
Brian Goodwin aced his first test as a Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder with the answer to why he was willing to sign with the team that finished with the worst record in baseball last season. “I don’t really see a reason to not like the opportunity here,” Goodwin said on a...
Pirates’ Derek Shelton: Todd Frazier added for right-handed power, veteran leadership
Derek Shelton rattled off Todd Frazier’s attributes, from being a 10-year veteran and two-time All-Star to a right-handed bat who can play either corner infield spot, as reasons for his addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not that Ke’Bryan Hayes has to be worried. Frazier signed a minor league deal with...
Pirates pitcher Quinn Priester ‘itching’ to prove top-100 status while chasing his daydreams
Quinn Priester reported for his first major league spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates wearing a first-round tag and a growing reputation as one of baseball’s top-100 prospects, so don’t mind the 20-year-old right-hander if his mind drifts towards leading the revival of a struggling franchise. “So I do, I...
Pirates sign 2-time All-Star Todd Frazier to minor league deal
The Pirates added a power-hitting corner infielder Friday by signing Todd Frazier to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to a source. Frazier, a two-time All-Star, will earn $1.5 million if he makes the team. Frazier, 35, has a career .242 batting average with...
Pirates lefty Steven Brault ‘excited’ to build off strong finish, cement spot in starting rotation
Now that Steven Brault has solidified a spot in the starting rotation, the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander can’t contain his excitement. He even used the word with the frequency which he used to throw his fastball. “I’m excited. There’s no other way to play it. I’m excited,” Brault said. “I’m going...
Pirates catcher Michael Perez hopes to honor legacy of his idol Roberto Clemente
Michael Perez has the distinction of being the lone Puerto Rican player on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster and the honor of playing for the same team as his hero Roberto Clemente once did. Not that Perez had any control over that decision, however, as the Pirates claimed him off...
As Pirates’ oldest player, Jacob Stallings embraces role of breaking in backup catchers
Before his first spring training, Jacob Stallings was warned by David Price that the way to earn respect was by working hard and keeping his mouth shut, so the catcher adopted that as his mantra. That approach has changed dramatically for Stallings. Now 31, he is the oldest player on...
Mitch Keller takes confident step toward becoming leader for Pirates
Mitch Keller arrived at spring training a year ago fighting for a spot in the starting rotation, missed six weeks with an oblique injury and ended the season throwing 11 consecutive hitless innings over his final two starts. If that sounds like a dramatic change, it’s nothing compared to the...
After minor league contraction, Pirates shuffle coaching staffs of their 4 affiliates
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced changes Wednesday to their minor league coaching staffs, with some shuffling among their affiliates and two former affiliates who became MLB developmental leagues. The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians’ coaching staff will remain intact, with Brian Esposito as manager, Joel Hanrahan as pitching coach and Jon Nunnally as...
Lefty pitcher Tyler Anderson embraces chance to start anew with the Pirates amid rebuild
When the Pittsburgh Pirates showed interest in signing Tyler Anderson, the left-handed pitcher saw something familiar in the idea of joining a club trying to change the culture while going through a rebuild. Anderson was a freshman when Spring Valley High School opened in Las Vegas, then went to Oregon...
Pirates sign left-hander Tyler Anderson to add depth to starting rotation
After trading their past two Opening Day starters this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates added to their rotation Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a major league deal with left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson. The contract is for one-year at $2.5 million, pending Anderson passing a physical, a source confirmed to the...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton: ‘We’re preparing to win, making decisions to win’
Derek Shelton doesn’t want to dwell on the performances that led the Pittsburgh Pirates to finish with the worst record in baseball last season or the projections that have them losing 100-plus games this summer. Despite an offseason in which All-Star first baseman Josh Bell and starting pitchers Joe Musgrove...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton focused on spring training competition at SS, CF
On the eve of the first workouts for pitchers and catchers of spring training, manager Derek Shelton said the Pittsburgh Pirates will have open competition for starting jobs at multiple positions. Shelton’s focus will be on finding starters at shortstop and center field, helping his corner outfielders rediscover their swing...
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...
