Skenes 'celebrates' Mangum's birthday with elaborate cake
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Paul Skenes has been Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award winner in the National League. Apparently he’s also now a prankster. Before the Pirates’ 9-7 win over the Red Sox on Sunday at LECOM Park, Skenes ordered and had delivered a custom, pirate-themed cake
Cherington on the Griffin question, the rotation and the outfield
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Ben Cherington knew it was coming. Both in Spring Training and again Sunday morning. It’s the wildly popular and much-discussed Konnor Griffin question: How to handle the best prospect in baseball and whether or not he makes the Opening Day roster. The Pirates general manager did not
Unique path, confidence has led Justin Lawrence to key relief role for Pirates
LAKELAND, Fla. — Justin Lawrence was staring at a 3-0 count in the fifth inning Saturday against Tigers catcher Jake Rogers at Joker Marchant Stadium, missing outside with a sweeper and two sinkers. It was a situation that would’ve consumed the Pirates reliever only a few years ago, where he’d
Pirates prospect Barco added THREE new pitches to arsenal
BRADENTON, Fla. -- When Hunter Barco left Pittsburgh and flew south for the winter, an encouraging MLB debut and strong Minor League season in the books, the young left-hander was hardly satisfied. Wanting to take the next step in his career, the 2022 second-round pick and current MLB Pipeline Top
Pirates' key young duo making strides on the mound
BRADENTON, Fla. -- While much has been made of 19-year-old Konnor Griffin or a Pirates offense that appears far better equipped to do damage in 2026, starting pitching remains the team’s backbone. Paul Skenes, yes. But also young guys with power stuff like Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft, who started
After serious injury, Callihan thankful for every swing and eager to help Bucs
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Standing in front of a Pirates backdrop inside the interview room at LECOM Park, Tyler Callihan glanced down and began to count the scars on his surgically repaired left arm, the result of a gruesome injury that occurred May 5 at Atlanta. “I have this one, this
Why the Pirates believe their offense is prepped to impress
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Ryan O'Hearn wasn’t trying to make some grand declaration. He was simply describing what he saw. It was Saturday, Feb. 21, midway through the Pirates’ Grapefruit League opener against the Orioles in Sarasota. After his workday concluded, O’Hearn described getting 2023 Orioles vibes with the ‘26 Pirates,