Kevin Gorman stories, Page 63
After shattering Statcast records as rookie, Pirates SS Oneil Cruz eyes exclusive clubs
BRADENTON, Fla. — Oneil Cruz showed as a rookie that one swing can do enough damage to shatter Statcast records, so the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop shared some lofty goals for his first full year in the major leagues. After flashing his unique blend of power and speed by hitting 17...
In search to stay healthy, show more power, Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes packs on muscleVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — After being bothered by back and hip pain, Ke’Bryan Hayes used his brains to add brawn. The Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman invested in a team of trainers in the offseason to focus on core stability and stay healthy. Hayes looked buff on the opening day of spring...
Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds opens up on his trade request: ‘I want a fair deal for both sides’Video
BRADENTON, Fla. — On the opening day of spring training, Bryan Reynolds stood in front of his locker and firm in his stance said he wants to be traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates, unless they are willing to offer a long-term contract that represents a “fair deal for both sides.”...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Watch for these prospects as Pirates spring training starts
When Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and catchers report to spring training Wednesday at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., the 67-man camp will include five prospects who aren’t likely to make the Opening Day roster but could finish the season at PNC Park. Here’s a look at those prospects: Endy Rodriguez The...
Pirates by Position: David Bednar expected to lead bullpen bolstered by offseason additions
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen, Derek Shelton won’t divulge defined roles. The Pirates manager has refused to call David Bednar the team’s closer, despite leading their relievers in saves (19) and strikeouts (69) and being selected an All-Star last season. “No, not really,” Shelton said of the...
Pirates by Position: Mitch Keller expected to anchor starting rotation that added 2 veterans
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been touting Mitch Keller as having top-of-the-rotation stuff since he was their top pitching prospect, but the right-hander struggled to show it in his first three major-league seasons. Keller finally gave a glimpse last season, when he led the Pirates in starts (29) and innings pitched...
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...
