Kevin Gorman stories, Page 64
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Most pressing questions for Pirates entering spring training
Coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons for the first time since the 1950s, the Pittsburgh Pirates underwent a roster overhaul and spent $30 million on veterans in free agency. The turnover is dramatic, with only seven players remaining from the 26-man Opening Day roster from last season: closer David Bednar, right-handed...
Pirates by Position: Adding Andrew McCutchen creates competition in crowded outfieldVideo
In an offseason when the Pittsburgh Pirates weighed their outfield options, starting with whether to grant Bryan Reynolds’ trade request, one comment captured how much has changed. “I know we don’t talk lineups here,” manager Derek Shelton said of Andrew McCutchen, “but Opening Day he’s going to be in there.”...
Pirates by Position: Ke’Bryan Hayes dazzles at 3B but has yet to show power for the position
If the dazzling plays made by Ke’Bryan Hayes didn’t prove he was baseball’s best glove at third base, the measures of metrics made it clear he was the best defender in the game. “I’ve got a lot of confidence anytime a ball is hit over his way,” Pirates outfielder Bryan...
Pirates by Position: Oneil Cruz, Rodolfo Castro can make a case as starting middle infielders
Over the final five weeks of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates played Oneil Cruz and Rodolfo Castro together for 14 games and gave a glimpse of what could become their double-play pairing of the future. A defense featuring the young Dominicans — Cruz turned 24 in October, and Castro turns...
Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras reportedly added to Dominican Republic roster for WBC
A day after Ji-Man Choi was dropped from Korea’s roster in the World Baseball Classic after the Pittsburgh Pirates made a medical objection, the club appears to have given right-hander Roansy Contreras the OK to play in the WBC. Contreras was added to the roster of the Dominican Republic, per...
Pirates by Position: 1B, DH addressed with additions of Ji-Man Choi, Carlos Santana
Ben Cherington entered the offseason with the objective of improving the Pittsburgh Pirates at first base and designated hitter, and the general manager addressed both positions before the Winter Meetings. By trading for Ji-Man Choi and signing Carlos Santana in free agency, the Pirates added a pair of veteran sluggers...
Ji-Man Choi ‘devastated’ to be dropped from Korea’s WBC roster after Pirates’ objection
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi said he was “devastated” by the club making a medical objection that will keep him from playing for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. As reported by Yonhap News, Choi said he was “deeply hurt” by the Pirates’ decision, made out of health...
Pirates by Position: Counting on Austin Hedges at catcher until prospects are promoted
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the conundrum at catcher last season couldn’t be captured by one name, as they used eight players at the position. One game, however, told the tale. When backup Andrew Knapp was ejected from the dugout for arguing a call and starter Roberto Perez suffered a torn...
Pirates add 4 top-5 prospects to spring training as non-roster invitees
The Pittsburgh Pirates added 17 players as non-roster invitees to spring training in Bradenton, Fla., including top-five prospects Henry Davis, Termarr Johnson, Quinn Priester and Nick Gonzales. It marks the first spring training for Johnson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Davis (2021), Priester (2019) and...
‘It’s like he never left’: Pirates fans thrilled to see Andrew McCutchen back at PNC Park
Ezera Lenk and his sister Annie had no idea Andrew McCutchen was even at PNC Park when they got in a line that snaked through the Gunner’s Lounge on the club level. So after an almost hour-long wait, they were thrilled to be among the final Pittsburgh Pirates fans to...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton calls signing Andrew McCutchen ‘a move we needed to make’
When Derek Shelton learned of the possibility that Andrew McCutchen could return to the Pittsburgh Pirates, his first thought was about how the 36-year-old veteran outfielder would fit with the young ballclub. As he considered it, Shelton saw only positives. “I thought it was a move we needed to make,”...
Termarr Johnson ranks highest among Pirates prospects in MLB Pipeline’s updated top 100
Termarr Johnson hasn’t played a full season in the minor leagues, but MLB Pipeline already ranks the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2022 first-round pick as the No. 1 second-base prospect and among its top 30 players overall. Ranked 26th, Johnson is the only Pirates player to crack the front half of MLB...
For Pirates, signing South Korean pitcher Jun-Seok Shim signifies global approach to scouting
After the Pittsburgh Pirates convinced Jun-Seok Shim to withdraw from the KBO draft, where he was projected to be a top-five pick, and sign for a $750,000 bonus, they gave their top-ranked international signing the grand tour of PNC Park on Thursday befitting a first-round pick of the MLB Draft....
Pirates sign South Korean pitching prospect Jun-Seok Shim
The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed Jun-Seok Shim and will introduce the 18-year-old South Korean pitching prospect Thursday at PNC Park. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound right-hander is ranked the No. 10 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and second among pitchers. “We are excited to add Jun-Seok to our organization and start...
Kevin Gorman: Explaining a ballot that gave a vote to Scott Rolen but not Carlos Beltran
When I became eligible to vote for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time two years ago, I made the decision to select the best players on the ballot. It came with a caveat: Cheaters won’t get a check mark in their first year of eligibility. That...
‘That’s Andrew McCutchen’s number’: The Pirate who protected No. 22 until his return
When the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to hype the return of Andrew McCutchen, their creative team asked clubhouse and equipment manager Scott Bonnett if he had any leftover jerseys. There would be no Catch-22 with Cutch’s 22. Bonnett only had to open his own locker. Hanging alongside an autographed Francisco Cervelli...
‘I want to win!’: Ready for a reunion, Andrew McCutchen saw something special in Pirates
Andrew McCutchen strutted into the news conference wearing a bright blue suit and an even bigger smile, stunned to see so many people awaiting an arrival for a reunion he always anticipated. Pittsburgh Pirates employees crowded the back of the PNC Park conference room and applauded McCutchen’s entrance on Friday...
To make room for Andrew McCutchen, Pirates designate OF Miguel Andujar for assignment
With a glut of outfielders and after signing Andrew McCutchen to a one-year, $5 million contract Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates designated Miguel Andujar for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Andujar batted .250 (9 for 36) with three doubles, a triple and nine RBIs in nine games for...
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates make reunion official: ‘We have a chance to come back’
The video had no words but spoke volumes. Pittsburgh Pirates equipment manager Scott Bonnett simply walked to an empty locker stall and hung a home white jersey, then walked away to reveal Andrew McCutchen’s old No. 22. McCutchen is officially back where he began. The Pirates formally announced Friday the...
Pirates ranked 28th overall, last in NL in payroll last season, per league figures
The Pittsburgh Pirates had the lowest payroll in the National League and third-lowest in baseball in 2022, at $61,196,070, according to MLB figures obtained by the Associated Press. The Pirates ranked 28th overall, directly behind the Cleveland Guardians ($69,080,715) and ahead of only the Baltimore Orioles ($60,377,739) and Oakland Athletics...
Ex-Pirates slugger Frank Thomas, who starred for hometown team in 1950s, dies at 93
Frank Thomas got to live a childhood dream as a Pittsburgh native who became a three-time All-Star slugger for the Pirates in the 1950s before being traded for a trio of players who helped win the 1960 World Series. One of the Pirates’ most popular players, Thomas hit 163 home...
Pirates intrigued by international free agent class, led by South Korea pitcher Jun-Seok Shim
The Pittsburgh Pirates were so intrigued by reports on South Korean pitcher Jun-Seok Shim, an 18-year-old right-hander whose fastball has touched triple digits, that international scouting director Junior Vizcaino flew to Seoul to see Shim pitch in person. The Pirates made Shim the headliner of their international free agent class...
Pirates sign top-10 South Korean RHP prospect, 21 other internationals
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Sunday an international free agent class that features a top-10 prospect in South Korean right-handed pitcher Jun-Seok Shim and top-30 prospect in Dominican outfielder Raymond Mola. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Shim, 18, throws a fastball that sits at 94-96 mph and tops out at 100 and a...
Analysis: Applauding Andrew McCutchen’s reunion with Pirates
Now that the happy homecoming side of Andrew McCutchen agreeing to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates has commenced, there is talk that it could provide the perfect ending. The 36-year-old outfielder has a golden opportunity to end his major-league career with the team that drafted him and the city where...
Back ‘where it all began’: To delight of fans, Pirates sign star outfielder Andrew McCutchen
The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing back Andrew McCutchen, reuniting with their most popular player of the PNC Park era to the delight of a fan base that has voiced its frustration since he was traded. McCutchen, 36, agreed Friday to a one-year, $5 million contract, pending physical, that will return...
