BRADENTON, Fla. — Few people have been busier than Tony Beasley during Spring Training. Whether it’s outfield drills, chatting with players and staffers or attending various coaches’ meetings, the 59-year-old baseball lifer is always on the move.
Back with the Pirates for a third stint, this time as third-base coach, Beazley also couldn’t be happier with his decision to stave off retirement and join Don Kelly’s coaching staff.
“It’s a great environment,” Beasley said. “I’m enthused about being back, to have a chance to feel what’s in the air. It’s a new time. It’s exciting. The expectations have changed. We’re looking forward to having a great season.”
For that to happen, the Pirates need their outfield pieces to fit together properly: Oneil Cruz improving in center field, along with Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O’Hearn on either side of him. Reynolds (-4) was in the 20th percentile of Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value last year. O’Hearn has never been a full-time outfielder.
Smoothing the rough edges has been Beasley’s job. It’ll also be a key drive behind whether the Pirates can reach the postseason in 2026.
From his seat, Beasley is confident the Pirates can “change the narrative.”
“We expect to have a great year,” Beasley said. “And that it’s not a one-off; it’s lasting.
“Instead of us playing teams, teams are playing us. That’s how we have to look at it each day and each opponent. But I think the players are ready. I know the staff is ready.
“I think we have all the right people in place to take things to the next level. DK has been awesome. [General manager] Ben [Cherington] has been awesome. [Chairman] Bob [Nutting] is on board with everything. I feel good about where we’re at.”
Beasley then drew on his decade of experience with the Texas Rangers, where they won the World Series in 2023.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to see winning during my time in Texas,” Beasley said. “I kind of know the vibe and what it looks like, what it feels like, and I see that here. I have no doubt that we should have a good season.”
Along with myriad other factors, outfield defense will matter. Essentially for those three, plus Jake Mangum and others, to show they can handle the job.
In order for that to happen, Beasley wants the Pirates to “adopt a mindset of really hating fly balls.”
“They’re enemy number one,” Beasley continued. “We don’t want to see any balls hit the grass. Just trying to create that mindset and attitude toward playing the game and making sure we hold each other accountable to that every day.
“I’ve been really pleased with the group. Pleasantly surprised, too. Especially with someone like O’Hearn, who hadn’t played a ton of outfield. But he’s been solid. A few slight adjustments. He made those easy. It’s a good group to work with. They’re eager to learn and have a desire to be great.”
With O’Hearn specifically, Beasley has been tweaking his pre-pitch setup, to avoid being flat-footed with a wider base and activating his lower body sooner. They’ve also been going over picking the ball back up quickly if O’Hearn happens to lose it or is forced to turn.
“His first step has been good,” Beasley said. “His routes have been solid. There are always tough conditions in Spring Training with the wind and sky, but he’s adapted each day. Any adjustments we’ve needed him to make, he’s been on board.”
Beasley was happy Cruz had the chance to play for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. However, he called it “bittersweet on my end” because it interrupted the defensive progress Beasley felt the Pirates made with Cruz this spring.
A consistent pre-pitch routine has been a focus there. But also better route efficiency. Beasley said the Pirates have noticed Cruz having an easier time going to his right than his left and that he also has a tendency to turn that way.
“I felt like we lost some time there,” Beasley said. “He came back and had a tough night the other night, [dealing with] two wind balls. He was upset about it. We discussed it. We got a plan of attack.
“There are still some things we need to clean up, no doubt about it. But with his athleticism and God-given talent, it’s pushing his mind. I have to push his mind every day and give him a purpose each game, something I’d like to see him accomplish that day to keep him on task. I think he operates best when you give a specific task.”
Beasley believes in Cruz. He also believes in Reynolds — though he’d like Reynolds to minimize the pre-pitch hop that he started doing after the All-Star break last year.
But whether it’s adjustments or asking for specific types of balls to address deficiencies, Beasley has appreciated how much Reynolds has shown when it comes to wanting to be better.
“I see him as a good outfielder,” Beasley said. “I really do. I know last year analytics didn’t like him as much. But I think they liked him better in the second half. He made some improvements late in the season. We just want to build upon those improvements.”
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.