Kevin Gorman stories, Page 37
Connor Joe wants to show more power production, positional flexibility for Pirates
If returning to the same team for a second consecutive spring training provided any comfort for Connor Joe, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/first baseman hasn’t altered his approach. After constantly bouncing around baseball, Joe avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.125 million contract, which amounted to a $1.39 million raise. What...
Giancarlo Stanton smashes 3 homers, including grand slam, as Yankees pound Pirates
Giancarlo Stanton smashed three home runs, including a grand slam, that totaled 1,334 feet in distance in a stunning spring training display of ferocity and velocity by the New York Yankees slugger. Stanton went 3 for 3 with eight RBIs as the Yankees rolled to a 12-0 win over the...
Oakland embraces Cinderella story in ultimate underdog role against heavily favored Kentucky
While advocating for the NCAA Tournament to avoid expansion, Oakland coach Greg Kampe dropped a dime by noting Wednesday marked the 70th anniversary of the real-life inspiration for “Hoosiers,” the ultimate underdog and quintessential basketball movie. For the love of Fang Mitchell and Coppin State, everyone loves a Cinderella story...
Brent Honeywell Jr. aims to prove to Pirates he’s more than a screwball
Brent Honeywell Jr. doesn’t want to be known for one pitch, especially considering his signature is a screwball. Pardon the 28-year-old right-handed reliever for being downright defensive about his pitch repertoire. Statcast shows that he throws six pitches — Honeywell claims he has eight in his arsenal — and he...
Now healthy, 1B Rowdy Tellez ready to provide power production, better defense for Pirates
At the outset of spring training, Rowdy Tellez was more worried about finding the timing of his swing than his production at the plate. Just when his production at the plate started to become worrisome, Tellez took one swing that showed his potential for production. After Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jack...
Oneil Cruz crushes 2 home runs, 6 RBIs as Pirates pound Phillies for 16 hitsVideo
Oneil Cruz continues to crush home runs, as the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop hit a pair that traveled a combined 822 feet in going 3 for 4 with six RBIs on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cruz got some company from Rowdy Tellez, as both hit three-run shots in a six-run...
Pirates GM Ben Cherington addresses decisions to reassign Paul Skenes, sign Domingo German
The Pittsburgh Pirates were preemptive with Paul Skenes, informing the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick that he wasn’t going to make the Opening Day roster and would start the season in the minor leagues. So their roster move to reassign the right-hander to minor league camp Sunday came as...
Nick Gonzales’ HR helps back Josh Fleming’s strong start as Pirates top Rays
The Pirates got a solid start from left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming, but it was their bats that rallied them to victory. Nick Gonzales, Matt Gorski and Shawn Ross hit home runs to boost the Pirates to an 8-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon in a Grapefruit...
Pirates sign CF Michael A. Taylor, place RHP Dauri Moreta on IL, add RHP Domingo German
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday the signing of center fielder Michael A. Taylor to a one-year contract, which a source told TribLive will pay Taylor $4 million this season. Taylor, 32, is a 10-year major league veteran who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019 and an...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: How new additions could affect Pirates’ roster, lineup decisions
Just when the roster looked like it was starting to take shape for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they agreed to one-year contracts Friday with a pair of players who could change the makeup of the starting lineup. By adding Michael A. Taylor, the Pirates now have a bona fide center fielder...
Quinn Priester strikes out 5 in best start of spring as Pirates beat Yankees
Quinn Priester made his case for a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation, delivering his best performance of spring training. Priester struck out five of the first nine batters he faced and held the New York Yankees to one run on three hits without a walk in 42⁄3 innings...
Pirates agree to 1-year minor league deal with Domingo German, who pitched perfect game
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued to address their starting pitching depth by agreeing to a one-year, $1.5 million minor-league contract Friday night with right-handed pitcher Domingo German, a source confirmed to TribLive. The 31-year-old Dominican was 31-28 with a 4.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while averaging 9.4 strikeouts and 2.8 walks...
Pirates add former Gold Glove winner, as CF Michael A. Taylor agrees to 1-year contract
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a defensive upgrade in center field Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract with former AL Gold Glove winner Michael A. Taylor, sources confirmed to TribLive. Taylor’s deal, which is pending a physical, gives the Pirates a proven veteran in center field and allows...
With on-base streak, versatile Billy McKinney building a case to make Pirates roster
Billy McKinney might be best known as the answer to trivia questions, given his involvement in multiple high-profile trades over the past decade. He has been part of the return package in trades for pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Aroldis Chapman and J.A. Happ over a nomadic six-year major-league career. The latest...
Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes sizzles in recording 2 strikeouts in Spring Breakout
Paul Skenes was surrounded by silence between pitches, with a home crowd mesmerized by the top pitching prospect’s sizzling sinker that touched triple digits on the radar gun on his first three pitches. Fans knew the best was still to come. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates soon...
Pirates’ Marco Gonzales looks sharp over 5 innings, but Orioles rally for win
Marco Gonzales made his best start of spring training, one that showed why the left-hander has a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation. Gonzales limited the Baltimore Orioles to one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four batters, throwing 48 of 74 pitches for strikes...
Lefty Marco Gonzales wants to prove to Pirates he’s ready to bounce back from nerve issue
Marco Gonzales had built a reputation as a workhorse with a sub-4.00 ERA for the Seattle Mariners, so the left-hander knew something was wrong when he felt soreness that had his forearm aching. The injury was difficult to diagnose, as it felt different than the ulnar collateral ligament tear that...
Roansy Contreras walks 6; Chris Bassitt strikes out 9 as Blue Jays blow out Pirates
Roansy Contreras couldn’t find the strike zone, so the Toronto Blue Jays made him pay by drawing walks and with a big swing by Justin Turner. The Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t hit Chris Bassitt, as the right-hander tossed five scoreless innings before a big swing by Oneil Cruz. Bassitt fanned nine...
‘It starts now’: Pirates pumped to showcase top prospects against Orioles in Spring Breakout
Where Paul Skenes and Jackson Holliday are the headliners for the Spring Breakout prospect game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, they are far from the only attractions. The Pirates’ roster features nine of their top 10 prospects, including four of their five top-100 prospects. Joining Skenes, the 2023...
Pirates sign LHP Eric Lauer, camp cuts include 2023 Opening Day starter, 1st-round pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a veteran pitcher and made five more cuts from major league camp, including a former first-round pick and a 2023 Opening Day starter. The Pirates announced Tuesday afternoon the formal signing of left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to...
Chase Anderson makes a solid start for the Pirates, who hit 3 home runs to beat Braves
Chase Anderson knew his chances of earning a spot in the starting rotation for the Pittsburgh Pirates were a long shot, but the 36-year-old right-hander was willing to try anyway. It took Anderson two days to drive to Florida from Texas and even longer for him to make his first...
USA Today ranks PNC Park as MLB’s best ballpark
USA Today named PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the best ballpark in its rankings of Major League Baseball stadiums. Baseball reporters and editors from the USA Today network revealed the honor in a story, “Ranking MLB’s stadiums from 1 to 30: Baseball travelers’ favorite ballparks.” PNC Park,...
Pirates’ Paul Skenes, Orioles’ Jackson Holliday in spotlight as top prospects in Spring Breakout
When Jackson Holliday faced Paul Skenes for the first time late last month in a Grapefruit League game, the meeting of the past two No. 1 overall picks was viewed as a prelude to the Spring Breakout. There were no television cameras or broadcasters there to hype up the matchup...
Bailey Falter throws 3⅔ scoreless innings in start but Red Sox beat Pirates
Bailey Falter came to camp with the intention of competing for a spot in the starting rotation and hopes of making the Opening Day roster, willing to pitch in whatever role the Pittsburgh Pirates want to use him. “It doesn’t matter to me,” Falter said. “Start, long guy, closer —...
After ‘crazy’ year, a more muscular Alika Williams plans to prove versatility for Pirates
Alika Williams knows how quickly fortunes can change, especially after a “crazy year” saw him start the season at Double-A only to be traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and promoted to the major leagues the next month. After being thrust into the starting shortstop role late last July, Williams decided...
