First Call: Mike Tomlin's early praise for Kaleb Johnson; potential trades for Mitch Keller, David Bednar

Friday’s “First Call” has potential trade destinations for two former Pirates All-Stars. A Steelers rookie turned some heads on Day 1 of training camp. We preview the Pirates’ weekend series against Arizona. And we check in on Russell Wilson’s start in New York.

Good start

Mike Tomlin isn’t one to normally heap praise on rookies so early in training camp. But he did have good things to say about Kaleb Johnson after Thursday’s opening practice.

The first-year running back ripped off a pair of nice runs that illustrated his explosiveness through the hole. I asked Tomlin if he believes the Iowa running back has signaled a high floor so far in his few months in Pittsburgh since being drafted.

“He does,” Tomlin said. “He’s highly conditioned. That helps development. When you’re in really good shape, you can take additional reps. Reps equal getting better. He handled the first leg of that. He’s come in really in good shape. He’s really engaged. Obviously, he’s got some talent. You guys saw that (Thursday).”

These were just non-tackling practices. So it’s easy for running backs to shine. But Johnson did show an ability to accelerate through cracks in the offensive line, and then good stride length and speed once he got to the second level and into the open field.

The Steelers selected Johnson in the third round of this year’s draft. He was the sixth running back taken across the league. He is expected to share most of the RB duties with Jaylen Warren.

Letting Russ cook

Last year, Russell Wilson was in “pole position” over Justin Fields in the Steelers’ quarterback battle throughout the offseason.

That is, until his calf lost a battle to a blocking sled, costing him the first six weeks of the regular season.

Now it sounds like he is in a similar situation in New York. Giants coach Brian Daboll wasn’t bashful about declaring Wilson the Giants’ starter, despite the presence of fellow veteran Jameis Winston and first-round pick Jaxson Dart.

“These guys are out here competing, but Russ is our starter,” Daboll said via CBS New York.

Note: Daboll didn’t say for how long. But maybe Wilson will have a chance to get the Giants out of the gates strong like he did over his first seven games in Pittsburgh, when the team went 6-1 with him as a starter.

Joe Schoen, New York’s general manager, stated that Dart “has a long way to go” as he enters his first NFL training camp.

Related

• Steelers defense pledges to create new ways for T.J. Watt, rest of the pass rush to create havoc
• Aaron Rodgers glad to get 1st interception 'out of the way' on 1st training camp throw with Steelers
• Pirates SS/OF Konnor Griffin rises to No. 1 prospect in MLB Pipeline's top-100 rankings

Rumors cooking too

On Thursday, ESPN.com published a list of 10 potential trades to watch in advance of the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline. Two Pittsburgh Pirates were mentioned.

The first potential deal was closer David Bednar going to the Detroit Tigers. The second was Mitch Keller going to the Boston Red Sox.

Of Bednar, writer David Schoenfield said the two-time All-Star from Mars Area High School “has rediscovered his feel and command after a rough 2024. He also comes with an additional season of team control. The other top relievers who might be available include Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians, and Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins, but don’t look for an intradivision trade there.”

Schoenfield also pointed out that Tommy Kahnle has been struggling out of the Detroit bullpen, allowing nine runs over three outings.

As far as Keller potentially winding up in Boston, he writes, “the Red Sox have a surplus of outfielders already in the majors and more hitting prospects in the minors, so they line up as a potential match with Pittsburgh. This could be an old-fashioned challenge trade with the Red Sox offering Jarren Duran, who matches Keller in being under team control through 2028. Or maybe the Pirates would want multiple players — Kristian Campbell has been squeezed out of a spot in the Boston lineup, for example, and High-A infielder Franklin Arias would be another option.”

The 28-year-old Duran is hitting .254 with nine homers, 54 RBIs and a .748 OPS. Campbell is a 23-year-old at Triple-A Worcester who last played in the majors in June. He got off to a hot start this season, then was demoted. Arias is hitting .284 in Greenville.

Snake charmers?

The Pirates welcome Arizona for three games this weekend at PNC Park, and they’ll do so in the wake of the Diamondbacks making a significant trade.

The club sent first baseman Josh Naylor to Seattle on Thursday for rookie lefty Brandyn Garcia and pitching prospect Ashton Izzi. They are two of the Mariners’ top 20 prospects.

Naylor led the roster in batting average (.292) and hits (106). Many think that Eugenio Suarez is the next in line to be moved out. His 36 homers trail only Shohei Ohtani (37) for the National League lead. He’s tops in Major League Baseball with 86 RBIs.

In fact, Suarez has been linked to the New York Yankees because they need help at third base. If they don’t land him, both Ke’Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have been mentioned as candidates to wind up in the Bronx.

Arizona enters the series on a three-game losing streak, 50-53 overall. That’s good for only fourth place in the National League West, 10 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates are 42-61, last place in the N.L. Central, although they did just sweep the Detroit Tigers.

Friday, the pitching matchup is two right-handers to begin the game in Mike Burrows for Pittsburgh (4.70 ERA) and Ryne Nelson (3.52 ERA) for the D’Backs. Another righty, Merrill Kelly (3.32 ERA), goes for the Snakes on Saturday versus the Buccos’ lefty Andrew Heaney (5.03). Kelly was mentioned in that ESPN piece, too, as a potential candidate to wind up in Toronto.

Pirates Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes (1.91) throws against Zac Gallen (5.58 ERA) Sunday.