Pirates/MLB category, Page 203
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...
Josh Gibson Foundation reschedules Negro League celebration events
Supporters and those involved with preserving the legacy of Negro Leagues baseball have learned to be patient. After all, they waited many decades, until just last year, before MLB commissioner Rob Manfred bestowed major league status upon seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948. It means 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...
Breaking down the NL Central heading into spring training
A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Chicago Cubs Manager: David Ross (second season). 2020: 34-26, first place, lost to Marlins in first round...
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...
Remembering Three Rivers Stadium: a Trib roundtable discussion
Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Three Rivers Stadium came crashing down? The stadium on the North Side (now in section called North Shore) was home to the Steelers and Pirates when they made Pittsburgh the City of Champions, the scene of the Immaculate Reception and Roberto Clemente’s...
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...
