Pirates/MLB category, Page 282
Pirates pitcher Aaron Slegers counting on another career changeup with new pitch
If anyone understands the arc from unusual angles and how the spin of a baseball can provide a career changeup, it’s Aaron Slegers. After a 7-inch growth spurt before his senior year of high school, Slegers changed his career arc from self-described “super-fringy” baseball player to major-college star to major...
Nick Kingham, Colin Moran pace Pirates past Red Sox
Nick Kingham retired the first nine batters he faced and allowed two hits in four innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-1, Wednesday in Fort Myers. Designated hitter Colin Moran went 2 for 2 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored. Rightfielder J.B. Shuck...
Pirates prospect Cole Tucker adds charisma to the competition at shortstop
Cole Tucker compared his first foray at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ major league camp to being not just the new kid in class but the youngest. Last year, the shortstop prospect sat wide-eyed in the corner of the clubhouse, eavesdropping on the conversations of veterans David Freese, Jordy Mercer, Josh Harrison...
Pirates say it’s ‘likely’ Gregory Polanco could take at-bats in spring game
The chances of Pittsburgh Pirates rightfielder Gregory Polanco making an appearance in a game this spring is looking “more and more likely,” team director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday. Polanco is recovering from surgery after injuring his left (throwing) shoulder in an awkward slide last September. Adam Berry...
Chris Archer, Adam Frazier shine in spring debuts as Pirates beat Orioles
It was a good day for spring debuts for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chris Archer got out of a first-inning jam and didn’t allow a hit while striking out the four of the seven batters he faced in two scoreless innings, and Adam Frazier got the scoring started with an RBI...
Bryan Reynolds hopes to show Pirates he’s an all-around player
A year ago, Bryan Reynolds arrived at spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the unknown minor league outfielder who was part of the return in the trade for the team’s most popular player. Reynolds had a hard time describing the feeling after coming to the Pirates along with reliever...
Pirates’ top prospect Keller struggles in spring training loss to Rays
Mitch Keller, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top pitching prospect, had a rough time on the mound in Sunday’s Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay struck Keller for four runs in the first inning of a 10-4 victory over the Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. Keller...
Top prospect Mitch Keller rocked for four runs as Pirates lose to Tampa Bay
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect endured another rough start in spring training. Right-hander Mitch Keller gave up a leadoff home run to Joey Wendle and allowed four runs in the first inning of a 10-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park in Bradenon, Fla. Keller...
Kevin Gorman: Baseball’s first female broadcast booth will be so Cool
Suzie Cool still can’t believe how quickly she became the center of a story that went viral on social media so fast she was soon reading about herself making history on Sports Illustrated’s website. Only a year after Cool became the Carolina League’s first female broadcaster, the Salem (Va.) Red...
Pirates beat Yankees but lose Lonnie Chisenhall to ‘lower extremity tightness’
Both Corey Dickerson and Steven Baron went 2-for-3 with a two RBIs, as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Yankees, 8-7, Saturday afternoon at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. But the bigger story was what the Pirates lost. Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, signed to start while Gregory Polanco recovers...
Pirates’ bats lead way to Grapefruit League win over Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bats broke out with their best performance of spring training Saturday. Behind a spring-best 14 hits, including seven doubles, and a five-run fourth inning, the Pirates posted an 8-7 win over the New York Yankees in a Grapefruit League game at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. Corey...
Kevin Gorman: It’s time for Starling Marte to be what the Pirates need
When Starling Marte speaks of submitting to whatever ideas the Pittsburgh Pirates have for him this season, the 30-year-old centerfielder says he not only “recognized and acknowledged but embraced” that their longest-tenured player also should be one of their leaders. That might seem natural for an eighth-year veteran, but it’s...
Pirates get opposite pitching performances in split-squad games against Phillies, Blue Jays
In split-squad action, the Pittsburgh Pirates got a pair of polar-opposite performances Friday from pitchers competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. In his debut for the Pirates, right-hander Rookie Davis struck out three batters and walked one while throwing two hitless and scoreless innings in a 1-1...
Pirates claim reliever Jake Barrett off waivers from Giants
The Pirates added competition to their bullpen by claiming right-handed reliever Jake Barrett off waivers Friday from the San Francisco Giants. Barrett, 27, was 2-4, with a 4.05 ERA and four saves in 103 appearances with Arizona from 2016-18. The Giants acquired him from the Diamondbacks on Feb. 5 for...
Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings faces make-or-break spring training
Jacob Stallings came to spring training with the Pirates Pirates under different circumstances, not just in competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but because he is out of minor-league options. This is a make-or-break spring for Stallings. “Maybe there’s a little heightened sense of focus on everything...
Kevin Gorman: After winning Gold Glove, Pirates’ Corey Dickerson focused on what’s nextVideo
Corey Dickerson followed his first All-Star Game appearance in 2017 with his first Gold Glove last season, so it was only natural to ask the Pittsburgh Pirates leftfielder about his goals for this season. Dickerson was a step ahead of me, not just in answering the question. In nearly two...
Jung Ho Kang homers, Steven Brault struggles as Pirates fall to Yankees
Jung Ho Kang’s strong spring continued at the plate, but Steven Brault’s bid for the fifth spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation took a hit Thursday. Kang hit his third home run of spring training, but Brault struggled on the mound as the Pirates dropped an 8-6 decision to the...
Jason Martin supplies only offense for Pirates in loss to Blue Jays
Jason Martin hit his second home run of spring training in the bottom of the first inning, but the Pittsburgh Pirates dropped a 2-1 decision against the visiting Blue Jays (1-3) on Wednesday afternoon in Bradenton, Fla. Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall and first baseman Josh Bell each went 1 for...
First call: Pirates catcher makes highlight-reel grab; Marc-Andre Fleury gets 30th win
For “First Call” on Wednesday, a Pirates catcher gets attention in spring training. A Bengal may be on the move. A magic mark for Marc-Andre Fleury. Baron von Catch Can your team’s catch of the year happen in spring training? Is that allowed? Take a look at this snag by...
Mitch Keller allows 2 runs as Pirates suffer 1st spring loss
Top prospect Mitch Keller started and allowed three hits and two runs in an inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 6-5 to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. It was the Pirates’ first loss in Grapefruit League action. Relief pitcher Michael Feliz worked two scoreless innings, and...
Pirates move to 3-0 with spring training win over Red Sox
Left fielder Melky Cabrera played the first five innings and went 1 for 2 with a double, third baseman Colin Moran doubled and scored in the first inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates improved to 3-0 with a come-from-behind victory against Boston (2-1) on Monday in Bradenton. Shortstop Kevin Newman had...
Third-base prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes living out childhood dreams at Pirates campVideo
BRADENTON, Fla. — Ke’Bryan Hayes compared the moment to backyard baseball, the kind of storybook ending to a spring training home opener that a kid can only dream about. With two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning of a tied game, Hayes worked a full count against...
Kevin Gorman: Jung Ho Kang’s smashing spring debut a strong sign for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. The Pittsburgh Pirates are focused on their great unknowns, from finding a fifth starter in their rotation to an everyday shortstop to solidifying their middle infield and locating a potential power bat. Perhaps the greatest unknown is what the Pirates will get out of third baseman Jung Ho...
Lonnie Chisenhall, Erik Gonzalez in starting lineup for Pirates’ spring home opener
BRADENTON, Fla. – New acquisitions Lonnie Chisenhall and Erik Gonzalez will be in the starting lineup when the Pirates play the Miami Marlins in their home opener Sunday at LECOM Park. Chisenhall will bat leadoff and play right field. He was signed as a free agent and slated to start...
Kevin Gorman: Andrew McCutchen and Phillies a reminder of Pirates’ choices
CLEARWATER, Fla. Andrew McCutchen was sitting at his locker stall and twisting the locks atop his head when asked why he signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. McCutchen broke into a broad smile. “See what they offered me?” McCutchen said, laughing in reference to his three-year, $50-million contract....
