Pirates/MLB category, Page 24
Pirates farm report for May 31, 2025: Matt Fraizer homers, sparks Indy to win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 31-23) doubled up Nashville (Brewers), 8-4. RF Matt Fraizer (.271) went 2 for 3 with a double and his second homer. He walked twice, stole two bases and scored three runs. C Brett Sullivan (.211) went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. CF Liover Peguero (.246) went 1...
Former Pirates All-Star Josh Harrison announces retirement after 13 MLB seasons
Josh Harrison developed from a super utility player into a two-time All-Star and one of the charismatic characters for the Pittsburgh Pirates during their three-year stretch of clinching wild-card playoff berths. Known for the dynamic play despite his diminutive stature and for the joy he brought to the game, the...
Full Count: Pirates await arrival of top prospect Bubba Chandler, a ‘superstar in the making’
Bubba Chandler already is one of the top prospects in baseball — rising to No. 2 in MLB Pipeline and No. 3 in Baseball America rankings — so the 22-year-old pitcher needs no endorsements to explain his potential. Chandler got a glowing one anyway. “I think he’s a superstar in...
Pirates prospect watch: Greensboro’s Esmerlyn Valdez pacing all of High-A in homers
Esmerlyn Valdez Position: OF/1B Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 181 pounds Level: High-A Greensboro International free agent signings are often hit or miss. In the case of young Latin American ballplayers who ink contracts with MLB clubs, it can be a slow burn to find out exactly what kind of skill set...
Bucs Beat Q&A: Pirates lefty Bailey Falter getting into swing of being a single-digit pitcher
Bucs Beat Q&A: Pirates lefty Bailey Falter You ended up working out a deal with Adam Frazier for No. 26? For giving up 26, he bought me a new bag and some new Srixon clubs. I’m excited to use them. I’m not a big golfer, but I’m excited because I’ve...
The week ahead: Pirates to host Astros, Phillies at PNC Park
Here’s a look at the Pirates upcoming homestand: vs. Astros 6:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT) 6:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT) 6:40 p.m. Thursday (SN PIT) • Injuries continue to decimate the Houston Astros’ pitching staff as righty Ronel Blanco was recently lost for the season and will undergo Tommy John...
Controversial call with bases loaded leaves Pirates stunned as Padres hold on for close win
When Robert Suarez threw a 99-mph fastball below the strike zone on a full count with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning, Henry Davis flipped his bat and started to take off his wrist protector in celebration. Instead of Davis drawing a walk...
Pirates farm report for May 30, 2025: Bubba Chandler fans 8, scatters 4 hits in Indy victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 30-23) edged Nashville (Brewers), 5-4. RHP Bubba Chandler (2.03) tossed five shutout innings, allowing four hits with a walk and eight strikeouts in a no-decision. RHP Burch Smith (1-0, 8.10) earned the win despite allowing three runs on two hits with a walk in one inning of relief....
Former Pirates president Mark Sauer, who called for changes to baseball’s inequities, dies at 78
Mark Sauer transformed from an executive for three major sports franchises, including the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1990s, to become a passionate advocate for educational equality in retirement. Sauer died May 22 in Delray Beach, Fla. He was 78. After serving as deputy chief operating officer of MLB’s St. Louis...
Tim Benz: Latest round of Paul Skenes trade talk has a nugget of intrigue within the hyperbole
After a brief lull, the hypothetical Paul Skenes trade conversations have kicked up again. The Athletic ran a column from Jim Bowden investigating the idea of the Pittsburgh Pirates trading their burgeoning All-Star pitcher, potentially before he begins his third season of Major League Baseball. The column showed up Wednesday,...
Pirates reliever Caleb Ferguson looks to stabilize following bumpy May
Upon joining the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in January, Caleb Ferguson had a simple message to management and the front office. “I told them on Day 1 that there’s 27 outs — I want to help you get as many of them as I can, and I don’t...
On Sports: Russell Wilson says George Pickens is just ‘misunderstood’; an amazing Jaromir Jagr statVideo
Whispers out of Pittsburgh Steelers headquarters suggest not many were all that too upset that George Pickens was traded. A prominent former teammate, though, has Pickens’ back. During an appearance on the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, hosted by former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, Russell Wilson said he “loves” Pickens and...
Pirates farm report for May 29, 2025: Jack Suwinski homers, steals 2 bases in Indy win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 29-23) drilled Nashville (Brewers), 7-1. RF Jack Suwinski (.247) went 2 for 3 with a double, a two-run homer, his sixth, a walk and two stolen bases. C Brett Sullivan (.180) went 1 for 3 with his first homer, a two-run shot. CF Billy Cook (.220) went 2...
Pirates’ Alexander Canario finds swing with increased playing time under Don KellyVideo
One notable development for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Don Kelly era has been Alexander Canario’s emergence as an everyday player. Canario, 25, was traded to Pittsburgh from the New York Mets in late March, and over the next few weeks, he failed to make much of an impression. In...
Pirates farm report for May 28, 2025: Konnor Griffin steals 20th base for Bradenton
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-23) fell 9-6 to Nashville (Brewers). 2B Nick Gonzales (.136), rehabbing from an ankle injury, went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. RHP Thomas Harrington (2-5, 6.87) started and was touched up for nine runs on nine hits and two walks in 3⅔ innings....
Pirates erupt for 10 runs, reward dominant Paul Skenes with 1st win since April 25
Pulling off an epic comeback late Tuesday night set up the Pittsburgh Pirates for a series victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. Paul Skenes was the man entrusted to facilitate that result at Chase Field, with Skenes riding a streak of four consecutive quality starts, (none of which...
Pirates catcher Joey Bart sidelined with concussion; Endy Rodriguez activated from injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Joey Bart on the seven-day concussion injured list Wednesday afternoon ahead of their series finale in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bart started Tuesday’s contest, a 9-6 comeback win for the Pirates, but took a backswing to the helmet in the fourth inning. In the...
After red-hot start in minors, Nick Solak trying to make most of opportunities with Pirates
As a manager who enjoyed a playing career of nearly a decade, Don Kelly can relate closely to those on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster whom he now leads. Nothing came guaranteed to Kelly during his MLB days as he was designated for assignment a total of nine times. Like he...
Pirates score 9 unanswered runs to beat Diamondbacks for stunning comeback win
The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out for the MLB-leading ninth time in 55 games (constituting 16% of their season) Monday night in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks. For much of Tuesday’s contest at Chase Field, it looked as if shutout No. 10 of the season might be forthcoming for the Pirates....
Pirates farm report for May 27, 2025: Nick Cimillo homers in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-22) was idle. Next: Wednesday vs. Nashville (Brewers), 6:35 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 22-24) doubled up Portland (Red Sox), 4-2. DH Nick Cimillo (.210) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. 1B Brenden Dixon (.135) went 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored. C Shawn...
Mark Madden: Pirates’ Oneil Cruz is an incredible talent but will continue to frustrate
On Sunday at PNC Park, Oneil Cruz hit a baseball 432 feet into the Allegheny River. That solo home run was moving at 122.9 mph, the hardest-hit ball since exit velocity started being tracked in 2015. Two innings earlier, Cruz’s throw from center field to home plate sailed to the...
Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft shines in big-league debutVideo
Braxton Ashcraft appeared as a reliever only twice in 71 career minor-league appearances. But upon being called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, manager Don Kelly indicated Ashcraft would begin his time with the big-league club out of the bullpen. As it turned out Monday, the...
Local author contributes to Library of Congress recognizing, preserving Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 homer
For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Bill Mazeroski’s home run to win Game 7 of the 1960 World Series has been immortalized for decades. Now, on a national level, the Library of Congress has done that permanently. In April, the Library of Congress inducted 25 recordings as part of the National Recording...
Andrew Heaney allows 5 runs as Diamondbacks shut out Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly recently received a compliment from his Milwaukee Brewers counterpart, Pat Murphy, as the two clubs battled over the weekend at PNC Park. “The Pirates have been playing good baseball,” Murphy said. “Playing good defense, playing better in so many aspects … They’re playing loose, they’re...
Pirates top-10 prospect Braxton Ashcraft makes MLB debut vs. DiamondbacksVideo
The same day he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Pirates No. 7 overall prospect Braxton Ashcraft made his MLB debut Monday night in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ashcraft, 25, took over for starter Andrew Heaney in the sixth inning with the Pirates behind 5-0. He struck out...
