PITTSBURGH -- Derek Curiel knew he needed more time and muscle before becoming a professional. While Konnor Griffin, now the Pirates' shortstop, signed with Pittsburgh out of high school rather than stick with his commitment to LSU, Curiel went the opposite route. The outfielder pulled his name from the 2024

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates are as close to snapping the longest postseason drought in the National League as they have been in a decade. With a 50-47 record at the All-Star break, Pittsburgh is over .500 at this point for the first time since 2016. The Bucs are two games

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft is often in the spotlight, standing on the top of the pitcher’s mound in Major League ballparks. Though he’s used to it after starring under the Friday Night Lights in the heart of Texas. “I don't think I've ever been as nervous as I

After taking Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Pirates selected high school shortstop Aiden Ruiz with the 44th pick on Saturday. Ruiz’s selection -- followed by second baseman Chris Rembert from Auburn seven picks later, right-handed pitcher Jason DeCaro at No. 80 and

PITTSBURGH -- Facing the top team in the NL Central presented an opportunity for the Pirates to showcase that they belong. Pittsburgh likely would’ve been content with a series win, but after a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, the Bucs looked to make a statement on Sunday. The Pirates (50-47) defeated

PITTSBURGH -- With the MLB Draft looming on Saturday, the Pirates made a deal late Friday night to help the team in the present. Pittsburgh dealt the No. 34 pick and Triple-A pitcher Jaden Woods to the White Sox for infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert. Even as

With the fifth selection in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, the Pirates selected outfielder Derek Curiel out of LSU. Curiel is the first college bat Pittsburgh has selected with its top pick since taking Henry Davis in 2021.

PITTSBURGH -- Friday night’s National League Central game between the Pirates and the Brewers at PNC Park has been postponed due to inclement weather. The contest will be made up with a split doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game at 12:05 p.m. ET and the second at the regularly

PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates have recalled Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington, their Nos. 7 and 12 prospects per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. Pittsburgh optioned Hunter Stratton and Cam Sanders as corresponding moves. The Pirates bullpen was forced to throw six innings on Thursday after starter Mitch Keller

PITTSBURGH -- In need of a victory on Thursday afternoon for a key series win, the Pirates turned to their bullpen for six innings. It’s a position Pittsburgh certainly wouldn’t have liked to find itself in. The Pirates went on to a 10-5 loss to the Braves as the ‘pen

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh has the most pool money in this year’s MLB Draft, totaling $19,130,700 to upgrade its organization in 2026. The Pirates have succeeded in the first round in recent years, adding Paul Skenes with the first overall pick in 2023 and Konnor Griffin with the ninth pick in

PITTSBURGH – Jared Jones isn’t afraid to criticize himself, calling himself out when he’s being lit up. He did just that after his start on June 27 against the Reds, where he allowed four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings.

PITTSBURGH – Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin is expected to miss 8-10 weeks after being placed on the 10-day IL with a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger. The 20-year-old suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against the Nationals on a diving attempt at a single up the middle

PITTSBURGH – Thirty-two-year-old Ryan O'Hearn never experienced a curtain call before. He was always hesitant to do it in the past, only considering the honor “if the fans really wanted it.” Yet in the sixth inning Tuesday, as his home run total hit three and his RBIs reached 10, the

PITTSBURGH -- Braxton Ashcraft didn’t have many plans for the All-Star break. He was going to return home to Texas and take some pregnancy pictures with his wife. Those will have to wait. MLB announced on Tuesday that Ashcraft will take fellow Pirates starter Paul Skenes’ place on the National

PITTSBURGH – Paul Skenes entered his start against the Braves on Tuesday night on the cusp of history – just not the good kind. Winless in nine starts since May 12, Skenes was amid the worst stretch of his MLB career. The right-hander’s drought was tied for the second longest

This story was excerpted from Aiden Stepansky's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH -- Sarah Johnson’s shifts as a Pirates ball girl often close out a 24-hour workday. Johnson will begin her day – or night – by working the night shift at AHN Wexford Hospital from 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. After a quick sandwich and some coffee, she’ll make her

PHILADELPHIA -- It’s a rarity to see the designated hitter bring out the lineup card. As veteran Marcell Ozuna hoped for the Pirates to get hot in late June, he asked manager Don Kelly to have the honor. The 35-year-old Ozuna is taking on a different role in his 14th

PHILADELPHIA -- The Pirates acquired Brandon Lowe to be an aircraft carrier, lifting their offense out of baseball’s basement. Though Pittsburgh likely didn’t envision Lowe having this impact. On Thursday in Philadelphia, Lowe singled twice, walked and stole his first base of the season. He went on to score the

PHILADELPHIA -- The noise can’t be quieted at this point. The Pirates hadn't claimed a victory with generational ace Paul Skenes on the mound in eight starts entering Wednesday, last winning on May 12. “There's a lot being made about it, and it is tough,” Pirates Manager Don Kelly said

PHILADELPHIA -- The Pirates have batted so poorly against left-handed pitchers that they benched two of their best hitters as a possible solution. Against one of the best southpaws in the sport, the latest iteration of a possible answer faltered. Pittsburgh fell to Philadelphia 8-0 Tuesday night, tallying just three

This story was excerpted from Aiden Stepansky’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA -- Good teams must beat other good teams to become great. The Pirates have proven to be a good team 85 games into 2026, producing a .500 record. Though to break a 10-year playoff drought -- the longest in the National League -- Pittsburgh must begin to beat the

PHILADELPHIA -- Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez isn’t hitting like a rookie. Valdez hammered a two-run homer to left field in the top of the fourth inning against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday for his fourth long ball in as many games. His two-run shot spurred the Pirates