Kevin Gorman stories, Page 2
Pirates GM Ben Cherington pumps brakes on Konnor Griffin’s chances of making the team
BRADENTON, Fla. — Konnor Griffin has been one of the biggest stories in baseball this spring training, as baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect’s five-tool talents have been on display in Grapefruit League games. Whether it was hitting two home runs over the replica Green Monster against the Boston Red Sox...
Healthy Hunter Barco adds new pitches in push for starting spot as Pirates top Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Hunter Barco is pitching without restrictions this spring training, and having the reins off has the left-hander finally feeling like a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I feel much more free,” Barco said. “I don’t have to worry about anything. I’m just going out there pitching...
After recovering from badly broken arm, new Pirate Tyler Callihan seeks to dispel any doubts
BRADENTON, Fla. — Tyler Callihan seeks perfection in preparation, whether it’s working to keep his swing short to the ball or finding comfort in the field at second base, third base or the outfield. “It’s huge for me,” Callihan said. “I try to prepare as much as I can before...
Braxton Ashcraft proves sinker can be effective complement to slider as Pirates lose to Phillies
BRADENTON, Fla. — Braxton Ashcraft decided to flip the script on his pitch usage against the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing his sinker five times more than his four-seam fastball. The intention was for the sinker to provide a perfect complement to his bread-and-butter pitch, the slider, against a lineup loaded with...
A bad hop broke Pirates 3rd base prospect Jack Brannigan’s nose but not his resolve
BRADENTON, Fla. — Bryson Stott’s sharp grounder hit the lip between the grass and infield dirt, skipping over the glove of Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jack Brannigan and hitting him square in the nose. It happened so fast that Brannigan was stunned. As his eyes began to water, a thought...
Alika Williams hits 2-run shot for 1st homer as a major leaguer but Pirates lose to Cardinals
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams would love to tell the tale of what it was like to watch his first home run in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, even one that came in a Grapefruit League game. One problem. “I didn’t see it. My head was down,” Williams said. “I didn’t...
Pirates great Andrew McCutchen to sign a minor-league deal with Rangers, per report
BRADENTON, Fla. — One of the biggest storylines entering spring training was that the Pittsburgh Pirates appeared to be moving on from franchise icon Andrew McCutchen. The 39-year-old designated hitter isn’t done playing baseball. The five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP is signing a minor-league deal with an invite...
1 year later, reliever Justin Lawrence finds rhythm, seeks defined role with the Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Justin Lawrence sent his wife a joke text wishing her a happy anniversary Sunday, marking a year since he was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies. Lawrence celebrated the one-year anniversary of being claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates with an impressive outing in a World Baseball...
Pirates trade reliever Kyle Nicolas to Reds for IF/OF Tyler Callihan
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds for infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan. Callihan, 25, is ranked the Reds’ No. 19 prospect by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder made his major league debut April 30 and went 1 for 6 in four games....
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Why an ex-Pirates player finds Konnor Griffin ‘hard not to root for’
BRADENTON, Fla. — The good-natured ribbing came from across the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, as a teammate teased Konnor Griffin about finally getting a hit that stayed inside the ballpark. Too bad it didn’t count. After his first three hits of spring training were home runs — all with exit velocities...
For Bethel Park’s Justin Meis, pitching for Colombia against Pirates ‘definitely different’
BRADENTON, Fla. — Justin Meis was so flustered after he finished the fourth inning that he went to the wrong dugout. Meis could only laugh, knowing it was an understandable mistake. The 26-year-old right-hander, who spent last season with Double-A Altoona, pitched for Team Colombia in a 7-1 loss to...
Spring shift: Ryan O’Hearn ‘getting ready to be a solid right fielder’ for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The possibility of playing right field was discussed briefly between Ryan O’Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates during free agency, but the plan was for him to split time primarily at first base and designated hitter. When the Pirates signed three-time All-Star designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, they called...
Alika Williams starts scoring as Pirates top Rays, hopes to add value with defensive depth
BRADENTON, Fla. — Alika Williams knew that Jake Mangum had the green light to steal second base, so he took a few steps from third base and got ready to read the throw. When pitcher Mason Englert’s throw to second went wide of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Barrios, Williams...
Finally healthy, righty Mike Clevinger chasing rotation spot or bulk relief role with Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Mike Clevinger has a season on his resume that no other Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher can claim. But he knows it doesn’t carry much weight in his quest to earn a roster spot this spring. Clevinger had 207 strikeouts in 200 innings over 32 starts for Cleveland...
Konnor Griffin hits 2-run blast for 3rd home run of spring as Pirates cruise past Cardinals
Konnor Griffin’s third hit in spring training produced the same result as his first two, with the 19-year-old phenom circling the bases. The consensus top prospect in baseball hit a two-run homer off Kyle Leahy in the first inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates cruised to a 6-1 win over the...
Spencer Horwitz taking open-minded approach about finding position to play for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Spencer Horwitz is still trying to figure out where he fits in with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he’s looking forward to playing a prominent role for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. Not that there is any more certainty over which position he’ll play. Horwitz, who...
Oneil Cruz extends hitting streak to 5 games, leads Pirates past Astros with 3-run home run
Oneil Cruz continued his hot streak at the plate in Grapefruit League play, hitting his first home run of spring training. Cruz extended his hitting streak to five games by blasting a three-run homer to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros at CACTI Park...
Outfielder Jake Mangum proving to Pirates he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win
BRADENTON, Fla. — Jake Mangum had a pair of strikeouts in a game that was scoreless, so he saw an opportunity when the Baltimore Orioles left third base open and decided to run with it. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning Friday, Mangum dropped a bunt...
Kyle Nicolas finishes off Orioles with scoreless 9th inning before joining Team Italy for WBC
BRADENTON, Fla. — Kyle Nicolas scratched the top of his right thumb in the bullpen before his outing against the Baltimore Orioles and ended up getting blood all over his white uniform pants. In his final appearance before joining Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic, Nicolas overcame the mishap...
With a superstar as his shadow, Nick Gonzales embracing challenge at shortstop for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The phone call from Ben Cherington was meant to reassure Nick Gonzales of his importance to the Pittsburgh Pirates, even after the acquisition of two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe. To Gonzales, it was unnecessary. The 2020 No. 7 overall selection — Cherington’s first draft pick as...
Jose Urquidy focuses on fastball velocity in spring training debut as Pirates top Twins
BRADENTON, Fla. — When Jose Urquidy made his spring training debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his primary concern was attacking what he views as a shrinking strike zone. The 30-year-old right-hander missed all of 2024 and much of last season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, so he’s...
‘I wish we could have done better’: Now with Twins, Derek Shelton reflects on Pirates tenureVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Derek Shelton returned to LECOM Park as a manager, this time in the visiting dugout. The former Pittsburgh Pirates skipper was wearing new colors that were old colors to him. The former Minnesota Twins bench coach is now their manager, only months after being fired by the...
Pirates announce coaching staff assignments for minor league affiliates
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the staff assignments for their minor league affiliates, including multiple managerial changes. At Triple-A Indianapolis, Eric Patterson has been promoted from bench coach to manager. He replaces Chris Truby, who was elevated to infield coach on the major league staff. The Indians also...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes slogs through 1st spring start, ready to ‘go win gold’ for Team USA
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Paul Skenes found his first start of spring training — and only one for the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining Team USA in the World Baseball Classic — to be rather challenging. The National League Cy Young Award winner allowed one earned run on one hit and...
To crack rotation, Pirates righty Carmen Mlodzinski concentrates on starting strong
BRADENTON, Fla. — As one of the more cerebral pitchers on the Pittsburgh Pirates, Carmen Mlodzinski is aware of the irony involved in his desire to be a starting pitcher versus his success as a reliever. The 27-year-old right-hander has the seven-pitch arsenal of a starter — with more offerings...
