NEW YORK — Whatever you do, Ryan O’Hearn remembers saying, don’t make it pretty. Absolutely nothing new, Brandon Lowe insisted. Earlier this spring, as a few Pirates veteran players began talking about how they might want to celebrate home runs a little differently this season, they kicked around ways to

NEW YORK — Nick Gonzales remembers visiting the American Museum of Natural History in New York City when he was 9 years old. OK, sort of. There was actually a baseball game he attended during the same trip that stood out more. But suffice to say, what Gonzales did along

NEW YORK — One of the hallmarks of Paul Skenes’ Major League tenure so far — other than dominance — has been helping the Gary Sinise Foundation by donating his money and time. Much like his baseball profile, the Pirates' Roberto Clemente Award nominee this past season keeps doing more

NEW YORK -- We’ve seen a few key trades and the largest contract for a free-agent hitter in team history. The Pirates arrived at Spring Training touting a revamped offense, Paul Skenes had to find somewhere to display his National League Cy Young Award and there’s been no shortage of

NEW YORK -- Since the day Konnor Griffin arrived at Pirate City, he displayed an impressive ability to focus on the day-to-day work, to learn and get better. It was no different the day the Pirates reassigned him to Minor League camp. This past Saturday, Griffin left manager Don Kelly’s

NEW YORK -- The scene felt like something right out of “Moneyball.” It was October 2020. Don Kelly had just finished his first season as Pirates bench coach when the Red Sox called. They wanted to interview Kelly to become their manager. So he flew to Boston, met with a

BRADENTON, Fla. — Isaac Mattson will never forget lining up along the baseline at Fenway Park on April 2, 2021, the sights, the sounds and the Baltimore Orioles uniform that he wore. But Mattson was also only part of the taxi squad, there in case of an emergency. After pregame

BRADENTON, Fla. — Hunter Barco’s strong spring ultimately translated into an Opening Day roster spot. The numbers weren’t there for Jose Urquidy, but he also has more experience than any pitcher on the Pirates roster. With the Grapefruit League season concluding Monday, the Pirates have chosen both to make their

BRADENTON, Fla. — When Nick Yorke and Billy Cook arrived in Florida for Spring Training, they had a shared purpose: to make the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. They also shared living space. This weekend was a special one for the housemates, as Yorke and Cook found out within hours that

BRADENTON, Fla. — Carmen Mlodzinski accomplished his goal for the spring by once again earning a spot in the Pirates’ starting rotation. Now, the really important work starts. The next time Mlodzinski takes the mound will be Sunday, March 29, in the Pirates’ series finale against the Mets at Citi

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Konnor Griffin was certainly impressive this spring, teasing with his tools and uncommon maturity. But the Pirates, who’ve talked repeatedly about being mindful of Griffin’s development and doing what’s best for him long term, made the difficult decision to reassign the 19-year-old shortstop to Minor League camp

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Konnor Griffin was certainly impressive this spring, teasing with his tools and uncommon maturity. But the Pirates, who’ve talked repeatedly about being mindful of Griffin’s development and doing what’s best for him long term, made the difficult decision to reassign the 19-year-old shortstop to Minor League camp

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The definition of light tower power. In front of an actual light tower, no less. It was a special moment for Tony Blanco Jr. during the Pirates’ 8-7 Spring Breakout game win on Friday against the Tigers at LECOM Park, the organization’s massive first baseman hitting a

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,

Hello, Pirates fans. Welcome to my weekly mailbag. With Opening Day around the corner, no surprise we had a bunch of great questions. If you want to get involved next week, email me at Jason.Mackey@pirates.com. PB (@mrpbody9): There have been a lot of rumors on Konnor Griffin extension talks. Some

SARASOTA, Fla. -- With just four Spring Training games remaining after Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium, the Pirates have plenty of work to do in a short period of time. Their lineup is mostly set. There's some intrigue with infield depth. But when looking specifically

SARASOTA, Fla. — Paul Skenes returned from the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday. A day later, Pirates manager Don Kelly informed the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner what pretty much everyone has expected: Yes, Skenes will start on Opening Day.

BRADENTON, Fla. — When Seth Hernandez gets the start Friday for the Pirates’ Spring Breakout game, he’ll do so with a healthy understanding and respect for who’s come before him in this event. Paul Skenes in 2024. Bubba Chandler last year. Hernandez knows he has a tradition to uphold. The

BRADENTON, Fla. — Braxton Ashcraft has been doing some of his best work when nobody’s watching, on the back fields where he’s been able to perfect the shape and usage of his spin pitches. Then again, Ashcraft has been pretty darn impressive in front of fans, too. Facing a solid

BRADENTON, Fla. – Mitch Keller can’t wait to board a plane and fly to New York City for Opening Day against the Mets. He’s hardly alone, either. “Everybody’s kind of there, ready for some competition,” Keller said. In a way, the Pirates aren’t in a markedly different spot than back

Matt Capps is an excellent baseball analyst, the former All-Star closer regularly combining insight with his trademark sense of humor. But as much as Capps might shine while discussing the game he loves, and still coaches, he’s equally as proficient around food, especially when it comes to consuming it. Which

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Before Pirates players took the field for workouts on a chilly Tuesday morning at LECOM Park, an unexpected conversation played out in the corner of the home clubhouse. Konnor Griffin, a 19-year-old from Mississippi who’s yet to play a Major League game, had questions for Marcell Ozuna,

MIAMI -- After Paul Skenes exited Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Dominican Republic, he found himself in a conversation with Clayton Kershaw and posed a question to the Dodgers legend. Skenes asked where the WBC -- an incredible event where this particular game packed 36,337 inside a raucous

BRADENTON, Fla. -- When Paul Skenes takes the mound for Team USA on Sunday night in Miami, millions will watch the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner face a stacked Dominican Republic lineup in the World Baseball Classic semifinals (8 p.m. ET, FS1). The “Top Gun” theme will blare

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Henry Davis could've changed and gone back to his old swing. Face it: An 0-for-17 start to Spring Training would force most baseball players to try something. But the Pirates' catcher has remained resolute. Stubborn, even. Davis believes in the swing changes he made this past offseason,