Pirates/MLB category, Page 62
Pirates farm report for June 30, 2024: Jack Brannigan’s 10th homer leads Grasshoppers to victory
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 34-45) fell to Rochester (Nationals), 12-8. C Dylan Shockley (.222) and DH Seth Beer (.281) each hit three-run home runs to help Indianapolis open an 8-4 lead. Shockley also doubled. CF Josh Palacios (.315) was 3 for 5 with a double and RBI. 3B Malcom Nunez (.245) also...
Pirates avoid sweep in Atlanta, but Bryan Reynolds’ hit streak ends at 25 games in win
As a team, the Pittsburgh Pirates kept one streak alive Sunday by avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, with the club’s last series sweep taking place April 29-May 1 vs. Oakland. But within their 4-2 win at Truist Park, another, more impressive stretch came to an...
‘Baseball without the B.S.’: Estimation rising internally for Pirates prospect Charles McAdoo
When Charles McAdoo arrived in Altoona on June 21 after being promoted from High-A Greensboro, his reputation preceded him. Since debuting professionally for the Bradenton Marauders in 2023, McAdoo’s stature in the eyes of the Pittsburgh Pirates has grown. A 13th-round pick (No. 377 overall) by the club in last...
Pirates activate catcher Joey Bart from injured list, option Jason Delay to Triple-A
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated catcher Joey Bart from the 10-day injured list Sunday morning ahead of their series finale in Atlanta vs. the Braves. To make room for Bart on the 26-man roster, fellow catcher Jason Delay was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bart, 27, had been sidelined since the end...
Pirates farm report for June 29, 2024: Termarr Johnson collects 4 hits, including 2 in 1 inning, for Greensboro
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 34-44) shellacked Rochester (Nationals), 13-4. DH Malcom Nunez (.248) went 3 for 5 with a grand slam, his eighth homer of the season. 2B Ji Hwan Bae (.362) went 2 for 5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs. SS Liover Peguero (.271) went 2 for...
Pirates’ Aroldis Chapman sets MLB record for strikeouts by lefty relieverVideo
The acquisition of Aroldis Chapman has been something of a mixed bag for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. The hard-throwing 36-year-old has shown zero dropoff when it comes to velocity (with Chapman owning MLB’s fastest pitches thrown this year, both at 104 mph). Control has been another story, as his...
Braves top Pirates with 10th-inning walk-off single
The way the Pittsburgh Pirates lost in extra innings to the Atlanta Braves Saturday made Paul Skenes’ solid start something of an afterthought. After a deflating overturned call negated the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th, Atlanta’s Adam Duvall hit a winning RBI single off Kyle Nicolas in...
Ability to make swift in-game adjustments showcases maturity of Pirates’ Paul Skenes
It’s no secret Paul Skenes possesses an elite fastball. Skenes’ triple-digit heater was a major source of attraction for the Pittsburgh Pirates when selecting him as the first overall pick in last year’s draft. Since making his MLB debut in May, the 22-year-old rookie has blown by countless batters with...
Orlando Cepeda, the slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed ‘Baby Bull,’ dies at 86
SAN FRANCISCO — Orlando Cepeda, the slugging first baseman nicknamed “Baby Bull” who became a Hall of Famer among the early Puerto Ricans to star in the major leagues, has died. He was 86. The San Francisco Giants and his family announced the death Friday night, and a moment of...
Pirates farm report for June 28, 2024: Hunter Barco throws 5 no-hit innings for Greensboro
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-44) was clobbered by Rochester (Nationals), 14-7. DH Joshua Palacios (.294) went 4 for 5 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. RF Ji Hwan Bae (.361) went 3 for 5 with two runs scored. SS Liover Peguero (.268) went 2 for 5 with a run...
Martin Perez struggles in return from injured list as Pirates drop opener to Braves
In theory, the Pittsburgh Pirates can find several positives in the return of lefty starter Martin Perez, who took the hill Friday in Atlanta vs. the Braves after spending the last month on the injured list. Looking at the bigger picture, Perez’s presence solidifies a Pirates starting rotation that’s been...
Pirates reinstate lefty Martin Perez from injured list, option Justin Bruihl to Triple-A
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Martin Perez was reinstated from the 15-day injured list, clearing the way for him to start Friday’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves. Perez (1-3, 4.71 ERA) has been out since May 26 after suffering a left groin muscle strain. He is slated to face former Pirate...
Post-shoulder ailment, Pirates prospect Thomas Harrington finding groove at Double-A Altoona
Just as he had advanced up a level in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system this past spring, pitching prospect Thomas Harrington made an unfortunate acquaintance with the injury bug. An issue with his right (throwing) shoulder ended up shutting Harrington down for roughly a month, delaying his Double-A Altoona debut...
Pirates-Braves matchup on Sunday viewable only via Roku
Fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates who plan on tuning into the club’s series finale vs. the Atlanta Braves on Sunday morning will need to be aware of a notable broadcasting deviation. Sunday’s game at 11:35 a.m. will not be featured on SportsNet Pittsburgh, whether via one’s normal cable bundle or...
Pirates farm report for June 28, 2024: Bubba Chandler strikes out 11 for Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-43) was swept by Rochester (Nationals) in a doubleheader. In the first game, a 4-3 Indianapolis loss in eight innings, RHP Quinn Priester made a rehab start, allowing two runs on five hits in four innings. LHP Michael Plassmeyer (8.08) followed with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits...
Former Altoona Curve teammates unsurprised by Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft’s ascentVideo
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Braxton Ashcraft had a workmanlike attitude at the start of the season when weighing potential promotions and whether his immediate future was as a starter or reliever. “It’s my job to play, not to play (general manager),” Ashcraft said. “I’m going to go out and get outs...
On Sports: Ex-Pirates pitcher Roansy Contreras starts for Angels; Canucks do deals with 2 ex-Penguins
Would a 24-year-old recent former top prospect with 30 career MLB starts be an adequate fit for addressing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ depleted depth at starting pitcher? Too bad the right-hander in question made his first start for the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Forty-one days after he was acquired —...
U mad, bro?: Pirates’ lineup, Steelers concerns, Skenes’ future
We are taking a few days off here at “Breakfast With Benz.” But even if an off day falls on Thursday, we will make sure “U mad, bro?” gets posted. One can’t keep all that rage pent up for an extra seven days. Especially with so much agitation bubbling up...
Understanding the assignment: For Pirates’ veterans, rehab a chance to pay it forward
That Martin Perez was packing a bag at his locker in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse was a telltale sign the veteran left-hander was leaving for the minor leagues. And it was anything but a demotion. After throwing a live bullpen session last week, Perez told the Pirates he wanted to...
Pirates farm report for June 26, 2024: Henry Davis begins rehab assignment in Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-41) and Rochester (Nationals) were rained out. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday. Next: Thursday at Rochester (Nationals), doubleheader, 1:05 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 29-42) gave up five runs in the ninth lost 11-6 to Akron (Guardians). C Henry Davis, on a rehab...
Bethel Park’s Justin Meis enjoying life with Altoona Curve, patiently working toward promotion
Altoona is by no means the preferred final baseball destination for relief pitcher Justin Meis. Meis, a Bethel Park graduate drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021 (10th round, No. 283 overall), is in his second season with the Curve, during which time he’s transitioned from a starter to the...
Luis Ortiz ties career best with 7 strikeouts, delivers quality spot start as Pirates beat Reds
Just as Luis Ortiz was adjusting to life in long relief out of the bullpen, the Pittsburgh Pirates asked the 25-year-old right-hander to make a spot start with the series against the Cincinnati Reds on the line. “I was excited, obviously,” Ortiz said through interpreter Stephen Morales on the SportsNet...
Tim Benz: Despite Pirates’ pop vs. Reds, Derek Shelton’s defense of Andy Haines falls short
The Pittsburgh Pirates have posted 14 runs in their first two games at Cincinnati this week, but their season-long offensive woes are far from conquered. During his weekly radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Derek Shelton acknowledged the Pirates’ offensive problems in 2024, but stopped short of endorsing the idea...
‘He’s got some wheels’: Stolen base highlights monster month for Pirates slugger Rowdy Tellez
The sight of Rowdy Tellez stealing second base uncontested Tuesday in the first inning against Cincinnati Reds starter Hunter Greene had the Pittsburgh Pirates making wisecracks in the dugout at Great American Ball Park. It was the first time since Sept. 8, 2022 — and only the fourth time in...
Pirates farm report for June 25, 2024: Braxton Ashcraft fires 5 scoreless innings for Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-41) lost 3-1 to Rochester (Nationals). RHP Braxton Ashcraft (0.59) started and pitched five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk with two strikeouts. LHP Ryan Borucki (9.00) pitched one inning on a rehab assignment (triceps), allowing a solo home run. LHP Geronimo Franzua (2-5, 6.14) took...
