Pirates/MLB category, Page 24
Tim Benz: Latest round of Paul Skenes trade talk has a nugget of intrigue within the hyperbole
After a brief lull, the hypothetical Paul Skenes trade conversations have kicked up again. The Athletic ran a column from Jim Bowden investigating the idea of the Pittsburgh Pirates trading their burgeoning All-Star pitcher, potentially before he begins his third season of Major League Baseball. The column showed up Wednesday,...
Pirates reliever Caleb Ferguson looks to stabilize following bumpy May
Upon joining the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent in January, Caleb Ferguson had a simple message to management and the front office. “I told them on Day 1 that there’s 27 outs — I want to help you get as many of them as I can, and I don’t...
On Sports: Russell Wilson says George Pickens is just ‘misunderstood’; an amazing Jaromir Jagr statVideo
Whispers out of Pittsburgh Steelers headquarters suggest not many were all that too upset that George Pickens was traded. A prominent former teammate, though, has Pickens’ back. During an appearance on the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, hosted by former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, Russell Wilson said he “loves” Pickens and...
Pirates farm report for May 29, 2025: Jack Suwinski homers, steals 2 bases in Indy win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 29-23) drilled Nashville (Brewers), 7-1. RF Jack Suwinski (.247) went 2 for 3 with a double, a two-run homer, his sixth, a walk and two stolen bases. C Brett Sullivan (.180) went 1 for 3 with his first homer, a two-run shot. CF Billy Cook (.220) went 2...
Pirates’ Alexander Canario finds swing with increased playing time under Don KellyVideo
One notable development for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Don Kelly era has been Alexander Canario’s emergence as an everyday player. Canario, 25, was traded to Pittsburgh from the New York Mets in late March, and over the next few weeks, he failed to make much of an impression. In...
Pirates farm report for May 28, 2025: Konnor Griffin steals 20th base for Bradenton
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-23) fell 9-6 to Nashville (Brewers). 2B Nick Gonzales (.136), rehabbing from an ankle injury, went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and an RBI. RHP Thomas Harrington (2-5, 6.87) started and was touched up for nine runs on nine hits and two walks in 3⅔ innings....
Pirates erupt for 10 runs, reward dominant Paul Skenes with 1st win since April 25
Pulling off an epic comeback late Tuesday night set up the Pittsburgh Pirates for a series victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon. Paul Skenes was the man entrusted to facilitate that result at Chase Field, with Skenes riding a streak of four consecutive quality starts, (none of which...
Pirates catcher Joey Bart sidelined with concussion; Endy Rodriguez activated from injured list
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed catcher Joey Bart on the seven-day concussion injured list Wednesday afternoon ahead of their series finale in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bart started Tuesday’s contest, a 9-6 comeback win for the Pirates, but took a backswing to the helmet in the fourth inning. In the...
After red-hot start in minors, Nick Solak trying to make most of opportunities with Pirates
As a manager who enjoyed a playing career of nearly a decade, Don Kelly can relate closely to those on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster whom he now leads. Nothing came guaranteed to Kelly during his MLB days as he was designated for assignment a total of nine times. Like he...
Pirates score 9 unanswered runs to beat Diamondbacks for stunning comeback win
The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut out for the MLB-leading ninth time in 55 games (constituting 16% of their season) Monday night in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks. For much of Tuesday’s contest at Chase Field, it looked as if shutout No. 10 of the season might be forthcoming for the Pirates....
Pirates farm report for May 27, 2025: Nick Cimillo homers in Altoona win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-22) was idle. Next: Wednesday vs. Nashville (Brewers), 6:35 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 22-24) doubled up Portland (Red Sox), 4-2. DH Nick Cimillo (.210) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. 1B Brenden Dixon (.135) went 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored. C Shawn...
Mark Madden: Pirates’ Oneil Cruz is an incredible talent but will continue to frustrate
On Sunday at PNC Park, Oneil Cruz hit a baseball 432 feet into the Allegheny River. That solo home run was moving at 122.9 mph, the hardest-hit ball since exit velocity started being tracked in 2015. Two innings earlier, Cruz’s throw from center field to home plate sailed to the...
Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft shines in big-league debutVideo
Braxton Ashcraft appeared as a reliever only twice in 71 career minor-league appearances. But upon being called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, manager Don Kelly indicated Ashcraft would begin his time with the big-league club out of the bullpen. As it turned out Monday, the...
Local author contributes to Library of Congress recognizing, preserving Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 homer
For Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Bill Mazeroski’s home run to win Game 7 of the 1960 World Series has been immortalized for decades. Now, on a national level, the Library of Congress has done that permanently. In April, the Library of Congress inducted 25 recordings as part of the National Recording...
Andrew Heaney allows 5 runs as Diamondbacks shut out Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly recently received a compliment from his Milwaukee Brewers counterpart, Pat Murphy, as the two clubs battled over the weekend at PNC Park. “The Pirates have been playing good baseball,” Murphy said. “Playing good defense, playing better in so many aspects … They’re playing loose, they’re...
Pirates top-10 prospect Braxton Ashcraft makes MLB debut vs. DiamondbacksVideo
The same day he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Pirates No. 7 overall prospect Braxton Ashcraft made his MLB debut Monday night in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ashcraft, 25, took over for starter Andrew Heaney in the sixth inning with the Pirates behind 5-0. He struck out...
Pirates farm report for May 26, 2025: Po-Yu Chen scatters 3 hits in 5 shutout innings in Indy win
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-22) won 2-1 over Nashville (Brewers). RHP Po-Yu Chen (1-0, 0.00) threw five shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. RHP Dauri Moreta (2.57) tossed a no-hit inning of relief with two strikeouts. RHP Kyle Nicolas (5.11) earned the save after giving up one...
Pirates promote pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, team’s No. 7 prospect, from Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted No. 7 overall prospect and right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft to the big leagues Monday. Ashcraft, 25, joined the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and would be in line to make his MLB debut. Per MLB.com, he’ll work out...
Pirates farm report for May 25, 2025: Jesus Castillo’s 4 hits help Grasshoppers edge Asheville
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-22) was shut out by Toledo (Tigers), 8-0. SS Nick Gonzales (.000), C Endy Rodriguez (.182) and DH Jack Suwinski (.232) combined to go 0 for 10. CF/1B Billy Cook (.206) and RF/LF Nick Yorke (.262) each had a single. LHP Randy Labaut (2-1, 5.82) took the loss...
Double take: Brewers rally for 3 runs on 3 doubles in 8th, beat Pirates for series split
The Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back from a bad start, thanks to grinding start from Bailey Falter, a prolific home run from Oneil Cruz and a go-ahead two-run double from Adam Frazier. Just as the Pirates were on the brink of winning successive series for the first time this season, the...
Pirates star Oneil Cruz breaks Statcast exit velocity record with a 122.9-mph home run
Adam Frazier was watching video of his at-bat in the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout when he heard the crack of Oneil Cruz’s bat, just in time to look up and see the ball clear the right-field stands at PNC Park and reach the Allegheny River on a bounce. “I’m just glad...
Pirates farm report for May 24, 2025: Jack Suwinski hits 2-run single in Indy loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 27-20) scored twice in the top of the ninth but gave up a run in the bottom of the inning to lose 5-4 to Toledo (Tigers). CF Jack Suwinski (.241) hit a game-tying two-run single in the top of the ninth. RHP Ryder Ryan (2-1, 2.89) gave up...
Mitch Keller provides quality start, Oneil Cruz drives in winning run as Pirates top Brewers
Mitch Keller dealt with his share of ups and downs early in his major-league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates that mentally steeled the right-hander and taught him how handle adversity with aplomb. Keller had lost six consecutive decisions, a run of futility not seen since Quinn Priester lost seven straight...
Full Count: Henry Davis’ development behind plate is promising sign for Pirates
The infielder in Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly was amazed at the deke by catcher Henry Davis, who stood statuesque awaiting a relay throw from Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Davis caught it and slapped a tag on an unsuspecting Spencer Steer sliding into home plate in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s 3-1...
The week ahead: Pirates head west to face Diamondbacks, Padres
at Diamondbacks 8:10 p.m. Monday (SN PIT) 9:40 p.m. Tuesday (SN PIT) 3:40 p.m. Wednesday (SN PIT) • Aside from the historically inept Colorado Rockies, the NL West is among the most competitive divisions in baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to keep pace with the Padres, Giants and Dodgers....
