Pirates/MLB category, Page 100
Pirates rally from 4-run deficit to beat Guardians, snap 5-game losing streak
With one out in the seventh inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates trailing the Cleveland Guardians by a run, Ji-Man Choi was watching and wishing while waiting on deck behind Carlos Santana. “I was hoping that he would take a walk so that I could probably make something (happen) up there,”...
Brice Hill can break Pirates clubhouse rules, and his dad doesn’t mind
There is an unwritten rule in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse that states, simply, don’t bother that day’s starting pitcher before the game. It’s a matter of professional courtesy to give him time and space to think about how to attack the opponent’s hitters. Brice Hill broke that rule Wednesday, but...
‘Frustrated’ by bothersome back, Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes denies report about trade
Ke’Bryan Hayes is the first to say he’s frustrated, though it’s not with the Pittsburgh Pirates but rather the bothersome back issues that have sidelined the third baseman since late June. Hayes said he was caught off guard when his mother told him about a report on 93.7 FM that...
Tim Benz: For Paul Skenes, ‘living life hard’ has a different meaning — one he’ll need as a Pirate
Pittsburgh Pirates first-round draft pick Paul Skenes throws hard. He’s been known to hit 103 miles per hour. It’s part of the reason why he posted a 1.69 ERA in 122⅔ innings pitched with 209 strikeouts at LSU this season. The 6-foot-6 right hander lives life hard too. When I...
‘He will serve his country,’ but first, Pirates have high hopes for Paul SkenesVideo
During Paul Skenes’ two years at the Air Force Academy, there was little he loved more than folding his 6-foot, 6½-inch, 260-pound frame into an F-15 fighter aircraft. Even if it meant hitting his head on the roof of the cockpit and enduring 9 Gs of force, or about nine...
First Call: Biggest potholes for Erik Karlsson trade for Penguins, Hurricanes; Kevin Colbert’s thoughts on Kenny Pickett
Wednesday’s “First Call” has the latest on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ alleged pursuit of Erik Karlsson. We give you some thoughts on Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett from the man who drafted him. Plus the Vezina Trophy odds are out, and the Pirates are the latest victims of one of the hottest...
Pirates farm report for July 18, 2023: Luis Ortiz roughed up in Indianapolis loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 42-48) was dispatched by Iowa (Cubs), 7-3. RHP Luis Ortiz (4.08) started and was tagged for six runs on eight hits, including two homers, in 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out two. LHP Jose Hernandez (3.38) threw 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. RHP Wil Crowe (3.86)...
Guardians rough up Mitch Keller early, hand Pirates 5th consecutive loss
Seven pitches into his first start since the All-Star Game, Mitch Keller was facing a four-run deficit. The Cleveland Guardians ambushed the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander, pitching on six days of rest, for five runs in the first inning on their way to a 10-1 win Tuesday night before 21,622 at...
‘We’re trying to get better’: Pirates GM says call-ups sending message to struggling team
On a day that centered around the Pittsburgh Pirates signing No. 1 overall draft pick Paul Skenes, general manager Ben Cherington also addressed the team’s ever-changing roster amid a slide into last place. The Pirates (41-53) entered Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians having lost four consecutive games and 11...
Pirates sign No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes to record bonus of $9.2M
Before coming to Pittsburgh, Paul Skenes went shopping for a necktie at Macy’s in his native California. The 2023 MLB Draft No. 1 overall pick was about to sign with the Pirates and wanted to make a positive first impression and was looking for a black tie with gold stripes...
Tim Benz: For Pirates ‘the future is here.’ Which also means that the present has already passed yet again
I understand where Andrew McCutchen was coming from when he gave his rah-rah speech Sunday after the Pittsburgh Pirates were swept by the San Francisco Giants. It’s the kind of veteran leader “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” stuff you have to say after a 10th loss in 12 tries....
How Pirates veteran lefty Rich Hill added split-finger fastball as new pitch
When Austin Hedges noticed an Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher throw a split-finger fastball earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher asked 43-year-old left-hander Rich Hill if he’d ever thrown the pitch. The splitter is one of an array of pitches Hill has thrown over the course of his 19-year major league...
Excitement from debuts fades as Guardians hand Pirates most lopsided loss of season
The Pittsburgh Pirates looked to the future by turning back the clock, having right-hander Quinn Priester and catcher Endy Rodriguez become their first battery in 80 years to make their major league debuts together. With the season spiraling and infielders Ke’Bryan Hayes and Ji Hwan Bae injured, manager Derek Shelton...
Endy Rodriguez’s MLB debut a sign of Pirates putting their future in hands of young talent
Endy Rodriguez had a sneaking suspicion the Pittsburgh Pirates had a promotion planned when he was scheduled to be off Sunday, just days after returning from the All-Star break. “I was thinking, ‘It was a long break. I just played two games,’ ” said Rodriguez, rated a top-100 prospect by...
Pirates add 3 top-10 prospects, designate former 1st-round pick Travis Swaggerty
The Pittsburgh Pirates made roster moves Monday involving a pair of first-round draft picks — one expected and one a surprise — and two players acquired in major trades. The Pirates selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester, a 2019 first-rounder, and recalled catcher Endy Rodriguez and shortstop Liover...
Pirates farm report for July 16, 2023: Termarr Johnson homers, leaves with leg cramp
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 42-47) clobbered Omaha (Royals), 11-4. 3B Vinny Capra (.271) went 4 for 4 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs. CF Chris Owings (.241) went 1 for 3 with his seventh home run. 2B Josh Bissonette (.228) went 1 for 5 with a three-run homer, his...
With season spiraling, Pirates promoting top-10 prospects Endy Rodriguez, Liover Peguero
With their season spinning out of control, the Pittsburgh Pirates are turning to a trio of their top-10 prospects for help. In addition to right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester, who will make his major-league debut Monday against Cleveland, the Pirates are promoting catcher Endy Rodriguez and shortstop Liover Peguero from Triple-A...
‘I refuse to be in that situation’: As Pirates plummet, Andrew McCutchen aims to avoid collapse
As their season spirals further away from an amazing April and closer to the bottom of the NL Central standings, the Pittsburgh Pirates are searching for solutions to stop their descent. Since a 20-9 start, the Pirates (41-52) are playing at a .333 winning percentage, have lost twice as many...
Giants score 5 runs in 10th for series sweep as Pirates continue freefall
The Pittsburgh Pirates are plunging toward last place in the NL Central, a freefall for which they don’t seem to have any answers. The Pirates tied San Francisco in the eighth inning but left the bases loaded, allowing the game to go into extra innings. Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly gave...
Pirates’ Quinn Priester, 2019 1st-round draft pick, pumped to make MLB debut
After a comebacker bounced off his calf in the first inning Friday night, Quinn Priester returned to the dugout and was informed by Indianapolis Indians manager Miguel Perez he was being pulled from the game. The 22-year-old right-hander was in for a sweet surprise. “He was like, ‘We’re not risking...
Pirates activate Andrew McCutchen from 10-day IL, option Rodolfo Castro to Indianapolis
Andrew McCutchen is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rodolfo Castro is headed to the minors. The Pirates made a pair of roster moves before Sunday’s game against the San Francisco Giants, activating McCutchen (right elbow inflammation) from the 10-day injured list and optioning Castro to Triple-A Indianapolis. McCutchen, 36, is...
Pirates farm report for July 15, 2023: Alika Williams’ 3 hits, homer not enough for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 41-47) dropped an 8-3 decision to Omaha (Royals). 2B Alika Williams (.301) was 3 for 4 with a solo home run. C Endy Rodriguez (.268) was 2 for 4 with two doubles. RF Miguel Andujar (.364) knocked in his 63rd run of the season. 1B Aaron Shackelford (.232)...
Pirates bullpen blows Johan Oviedo’s strong start as Giants score twice in 8th for win
Johan Oviedo came into his first start of the second half with six consecutive losses, a streak the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander desperately wanted to end against the San Francisco Giants. Oviedo delivered a strong start, tying his career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing only one hit before exiting with...
Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin focusing on future of rotation shaken by injury
As Oscar Marin faces the pressure of filling spots in the starting rotation this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach can’t help but keep an eye on the future after they loaded up on pitching in the draft. Marin was thrilled the Pirates selected LSU right-hander Paul Skenes with the...
Pirates to promote top pitching prospect Quinn Priester; will start vs. ClevelandVideo
The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to make yet another high-profile promotion of one of their top prospects, as Saturday afternoon manager Derek Shelton confirmed rumors that right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester will join the club and start Monday at home vs. Cleveland. Priester, 22, was the Pirates’ first-round selection, No. 18...
