Kevin Gorman stories, Page 106
Pirates emphasizing defense, consistency in 3-way battle for backup catcher
When Derek Shelton ordained Jacob Stallings the starting catcher at the outset of spring training, it didn’t signal the end of the competition at one of the most pivotal positions for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Instead, it was just the beginning of a battle for the three catchers vying to become...
Pirates get 17 hits, fall just short of no-hitter in Grapefruit League win over Braves
It all came down to the final out. The Pittsburgh Pirates were one out away from a spring training no-hitter, thanks to a double play in the bottom of the ninth against the Atlanta Braves. Right-handed reliever Nick Mears lost the no-hit bid when Phillip Ervin singled on a soft...
For Pirates manager Derek Shelton, building a batting order is best served with variety
Most days, Derek Shelton is loathe to discuss lineups. The Pittsburgh Pirates manager used so many different batting orders last season — 57 in 60 games — that it became a running joke: As many varieties as Heinz. On Tuesday, however, Shelton was in a good mood and delved into...
Dustin Fowler excited for fresh start, chance to compete for outfield job with the Pirates
Dustin Fowler’s once-promising career had bottomed out when the former top-100 prospect was designated for assignment by the Oakland A’s, so he was excited to get the call about the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates traded cash considerations for Fowler, giving the 26-year-old outfielder the opportunity to join an open competition...
Gregory Polanco’s 3-hit game propels Pirates past Jameson Taillon, Yankees
The Pittsburgh Pirates were scheduled to face one of their former aces when they played the New York Yankees on Saturday before a forecast for rain caused a change to the starting pitchers. Instead of Gerrit Cole, they got Jameson Taillon. The 2010 first-round pick, once expected to anchor the...
Pirates’ search for a starting center fielder could have Bryan Reynolds feeling left out
Bryan Reynolds calls center field his natural position, claims he gets truer reads off the bat and has the most fun there because he gets more chances to run down fly balls and make diving catches. With an open competition in center this spring training, it’s only natural to wonder...
After a decade of All-Stars, Pirates have open competition for closer role in spring training
When David Bednar talked about his favorite pitchers for the Pittsburgh Pirates while growing up in Mars, he ticked off a list that included All-Star closers Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon. Bednar isn’t shy about sharing his dream of putting the finishing touches on a victory in the...
Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen homer as Phillies top Pirates in Grapefruit League play
Chad Kuhl couldn’t have been happier about the execution of his top three pitches, effectively mixing the use of his slider, curveball and changeup against the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s what Kuhl called his fourth-best pitch, a four-seam fastball, that Bryce Harper drilled for a two-run home run and Roman Quinn...
Once ‘fearful’ baseball career was over, Pirates’ Oneil Cruz embraces opportunity in outfield
When Oneil Cruz was involved in an auto accident that killed three people in September in his native Dominican Republic, the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect worried his blossoming baseball career was over. “In the beginning, I was very fearful of not being able to continue to play the game that I...
Pirates, PNC agree to 10-year extension of stadium naming rights deal for PNC Park
PNC Park is keeping its name on Pittsburgh’s baseball stadium for another decade. The Pittsburgh Pirates and PNC Bank announced Thursday morning a 10-year extension to their naming rights deal to the stadium, which has been considered one of the gems in MLB since it opened in 2001. Financial terms...
No. 1 prospect Wander Franco makes powerful impression with homer as Rays top Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays used their Grapefruit League game to showcase two of baseball’s top shortstop prospects, and Wander Franco hit a blast for the deciding edge over Oneil Cruz. Franco, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect, made a powerful first impression when he smacked the first...
MLB moving back start of Triple-A season to May affects Pirates’ affiliate in Indianapolis
MLB has informed Triple-A teams that their season is being delayed for health and safety reasons, pushing back the start date for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis until at least May. The move cuts 24 games from the Triple-A schedule, narrowing it to a 120-game season with 10 home...
JT Brubaker works to ‘unblend’ his pitches, stand out in Pirates’ starting rotation
After being asked to first buy into the bullpen then stretch out to become a starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, JT Brubaker wants his breaking ball pitch path to follow that of his career arc. The right-hander spent his rookie season trying to blend in. Now, he wants to create...
Todd Frazier hits 2nd home run as Pirates lose Grapefruit League home opener to Tigers
Todd Frazier continued his bid to make the Pittsburgh Pirates as a nonroster invitee to spring training, hitting his second home run in three Grapefruit League games. Frazier’s shot to left field off Erasmo Ramirez in the fourth inning was the Pirates’ only run in a 6-1 five-inning loss to...
Anthony Alford returns from season-ending injury to flash power for Pirates
It was a bittersweet reunion for Anthony Alford and the Toronto Blue Jays, the organization that drafted and developed him, then discarded him last summer by designating him for assignment. When Alford came to bat against Robbie Ray on Monday in Dunedin, Fla., it was as a designated hitter in...
Mitch Keller struggles, Anthony Alford homers as Pirates tie Blue Jays
Mitch Keller wanted to focus on filling up the strike zone. Instead, when the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander had trouble throwing strikes, he was forced to work on pitching from behind in counts. Keller allowed two runs on three hits in the first inning of a 2-2 seven-inning tie with the...
Revised restrictions will allow Pirates to have fans in the stands at PNC Park this season
After playing a shortened season in an empty ballpark last summer, the Pittsburgh Pirates received welcome news Monday that will allow them to have fans in the stands at PNC Park this season. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday revised restrictions to allow for 20% of maximum capacity at outdoor venues....
After struggling at third base, Colin Moran hopes to find a home at first with Pirates
After seeing Cedric Mullins swing early on the 2-0 pitch, Colin Moran anticipated that a grounder could be coming his way at first base. When Mullins pulled the next pitch down the first base line, Moran was ready. With two runners in scoring position and two outs in the Pittsburgh...
Who’s at shortstop?: Pirates transparent with trio that starting job is up for grabs this spring
If asked to reveal the starting shortstop as spring training begins, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s answer would sound like something out of a famous Abbott and Costello comedy sketch. I don’t know. Never mind that he played third base in the “Who’s On First” routine. For the Pirates, the...
AT&T SportsNet to televise all but one of Pirates’ spring training home games
AT&T SportsNet will televise all but one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 15 Grapefruit League home games in spring training, with the exception of a conflict of schedule with a Pittsburgh Penguins game. The only Pirates home game that won’t be televised is the March 6 game against the New York...
Pirates, Entercom announce contract extension that will keep 93.7 FM home of radio broadcasts
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Entercom announced a multiyear contract extension that will keep 93.7 FM as the team’s flagship radio station and broadcast all spring training and regular-season games. The Pirates’ radio broadcast partner since 2012 on KDKA-FM, Entercom will now air all weekday and afternoon games on sister stations...
Pirates outfielders Bryan Reynolds, Gregory Polanco vow to put hitting woes behind them
The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t going to pretend their corner outfielders didn’t bat below the Mendoza Line last season. Right fielder Gregory Polanco and left fielder Bryan Reynolds just don’t want anyone to think playing amid a pandemic resembled a normal baseball season. After Reynolds batted .187 (35 for 185) and...
Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco says he never fractured his wrist in winter ball
Whether it was lost in translation or a mistake by the manager of his Dominican winter ball club, Gregory Polanco on Thursday disputed reports he fractured his wrist in the offseason. “First of all, the injury, they said it the wrong way,” Polanco said on a video conference call from...
Pirates’ Todd Frazier embraces chance to serve as a sounding board
One of the newest Pittsburgh Pirates never imagined being the oldest guy in spring training. That didn’t stop Todd Frazier from dropping an indicator of his age while reminiscing about his rookie year. When talking about accepting a role as a corner infielder who can back up both first and...
Pirates trade cash to Oakland A’s for outfielder Dustin Fowler
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired outfielder Dustin Fowler from the Oakland A’s in exchange for cash considerations Wednesday. The 6-foot, 198-pound Fowler is a left-handed hitter who last played in the major leagues in 2018, when he batted .224 with three doubles, two triples, six home runs and 23 RBIs in...
