Pirates/MLB category, Page 158

The process of building the Pittsburgh Pirates into a postseason contender appears to be a painstakingly long and difficult process, but general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday it doesn’t need to be a complicated one. Speaking to reporters on a video conference call, Cherington said there’s a common thread to...

Derek Shelton rattled off Todd Frazier’s attributes, from being a 10-year veteran and two-time All-Star to a right-handed bat who can play either corner infield spot, as reasons for his addition to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not that Ke’Bryan Hayes has to be worried. Frazier signed a minor league deal with...

Quinn Priester reported for his first major league spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates wearing a first-round tag and a growing reputation as one of baseball’s top-100 prospects, so don’t mind the 20-year-old right-hander if his mind drifts towards leading the revival of a struggling franchise. “So I do, I...

The Pirates added a power-hitting corner infielder Friday by signing Todd Frazier to a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to a source. Frazier, a two-time All-Star, will earn $1.5 million if he makes the team. Frazier, 35, has a career .242 batting average with...

Now that Steven Brault has solidified a spot in the starting rotation, the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander can’t contain his excitement. He even used the word with the frequency which he used to throw his fastball. “I’m excited. There’s no other way to play it. I’m excited,” Brault said. “I’m going...

Michael Perez has the distinction of being the lone Puerto Rican player on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster and the honor of playing for the same team as his hero Roberto Clemente once did. Not that Perez had any control over that decision, however, as the Pirates claimed him off...

Before his first spring training, Jacob Stallings was warned by David Price that the way to earn respect was by working hard and keeping his mouth shut, so the catcher adopted that as his mantra. That approach has changed dramatically for Stallings. Now 31, he is the oldest player on...

Mitch Keller arrived at spring training a year ago fighting for a spot in the starting rotation, missed six weeks with an oblique injury and ended the season throwing 11 consecutive hitless innings over his final two starts. If that sounds like a dramatic change, it’s nothing compared to the...

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced changes Wednesday to their minor league coaching staffs, with some shuffling among their affiliates and two former affiliates who became MLB developmental leagues. The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians’ coaching staff will remain intact, with Brian Esposito as manager, Joel Hanrahan as pitching coach and Jon Nunnally as...

When the Pittsburgh Pirates showed interest in signing Tyler Anderson, the left-handed pitcher saw something familiar in the idea of joining a club trying to change the culture while going through a rebuild. Anderson was a freshman when Spring Valley High School opened in Las Vegas, then went to Oregon...

After trading their past two Opening Day starters this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates added to their rotation Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a major league deal with left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson. The contract is for one-year at $2.5 million, pending Anderson passing a physical, a source confirmed to the...

Supporters and those involved with preserving the legacy of Negro Leagues baseball have learned to be patient. After all, they waited many decades, until just last year, before MLB commissioner Rob Manfred bestowed major league status upon seven professional Negro Leagues that operated between 1920 and 1948. It means the...

Derek Shelton doesn’t want to dwell on the performances that led the Pittsburgh Pirates to finish with the worst record in baseball last season or the projections that have them losing 100-plus games this summer. Despite an offseason in which All-Star first baseman Josh Bell and starting pitchers Joe Musgrove...

On the eve of the first workouts for pitchers and catchers of spring training, manager Derek Shelton said the Pittsburgh Pirates will have open competition for starting jobs at multiple positions. Shelton’s focus will be on finding starters at shortstop and center field, helping his corner outfielders rediscover their swing...

After his first spring training as a major league manager was interrupted by baseball’s shutdown because of the covid-19 pandemic, Derek Shelton referred to the shortened summer camp in July as 2.0. Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates skipper is steering a club that is in total teardown into a spring training...

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Chicago Cubs Manager: David Ross (second season). 2020: 34-26, first place, lost to Marlins in first round...

When asked in December if the Pittsburgh Pirates have a closer, Derek Shelton gave a point-blank answer that put a bull’s-eye on the bullpen. “As of right now,” Shelton said, “no, I really don’t think we do.” The Pirates didn’t have a closer last season, either, as two-time All-Star Felipe...

The first day, the infield instructor kept close watch on the top-100 prospect with a vested interest, observing and analyzing every movement of the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Finally, Jack Wilson asked Nick Gonzales this question: Do you want to know what I see? The...

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced their revised spring training schedule, with 29 Grapefruit League games in 31 days starting with the opener on Sun., Feb. 28, at the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota and the home opener on Tues., March 2, against the Detroit Tigers at LECOM Park. The Pirates will play...

While the Pittsburgh Pirates spent the offseason in teardown mode, parting ways with three starters from their 2019 rotation, their focus has been on building their pitching staff back up. After parting ways with their past two Opening Day starters in Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon and their leader in...

The Pittsburgh Pirates will open the 2021 season against the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. April 1 at Wrigley Field and host the Cubs for the home opener at 1:35 p.m. April 8 at PNC Park. The Pirates announced their revised game times for their 2021 season schedule Thursday, noting...

Ke’Bryan Hayes received his highest ranking yet on a prospects list, as ESPN rated the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman at No. 6 overall when it released its Top 100 on Thursday. Hayes is one of six Pirates to crack ESPN’s Top 100 prospects list, joined by Oneil Cruz (28), Nick...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Brian Goodwin to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, adding much-needed veteran depth to the position. Goodwin will earn $1.6 million with up to $900,000 in bonuses if he makes the roster, a source told the Tribune-Review. Goodwin, 30,...

The Pittsburgh Pirates added a veteran catcher known for his defense to their spring training roster by signing Tony Wolters to a minor-league contract Thursday. Wolters will earn $1.4 million if he makes the Pirates’ 26-man roster, a source told the Tribune-Review. Wolters, 28, spent the 2020 season with the...

Where the Pittsburgh Pirates once had an outfield filled with All-Stars and Gold Glove winners, they now can only dream about fielding one who can stay healthy and hit above the Mendoza line. That a light-hitting shortstop who switched positions in summer camp last July had the highest batting average...