Omelets, grilling tips, shopping advice and life as roommate to baseball’s top prospect
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Derek Berg didn’t have to think long about Konnor Griffin’s wedding gift. Months earlier, during their time as Minor League roommates, Berg had taught Griffin how to cook steaks. It was one of many life lessons he imparted on the teenager during Griffin’s first stretch away from
Skenes on mound as U.S., Mexico renew rivalry in electric matchup of unbeatens (8 p.m. ET, FOX)
HOUSTON -- It's time for the game we've all been waiting for in Pool B of the World Baseball Classic: USA-Mexico. The two baseball heavyweight nations are set to face off on Monday night at Daikin Park (8 p.m. ET, FOX) in what might be the most hyped game in
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
1 position battle still undecided for each team
There's so much on the line every Spring Training as all 30 MLB teams work to finalize their rosters for Opening Day. While some positions are set long before the season begins, each club is still trying to nail down at least one key aspect of its roster -- and
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
As top 2 MLB prospects, Griffin thrives on rivalry, friendship with McGonigle
LAKELAND, Fla. -- The ball jumped off Konnor Griffin’s bat looking like another hard-hit line drive for baseball’s top prospect. “I thought I had me a little single,” the Pirates phenom said afterward. On the other side of the drive, Kevin McGonigle -- baseball’s No. 2 prospect -- had a
Latest Pirates injuries & transactions
This page will be updated throughout the year with the latest Pirates injury news and transactions.
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
How the ‘24 Draft class could shape the ‘26 season
The 2024 Draft class is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. Following a 2023 class that featured some of the best top-end prospect talent of any Draft -- with names like Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Wyatt Langford and Max Clark going in the top five
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
With Griffin leading the way, Pirates boast MLB’s No. 3 farm system
BRADENTON, Fla. -- They've got the No. 1 prospect in baseball, so it’s pretty hard to ignore the Pirates’ farm system this season. And while top dog Konnor Griffin seems set for his Major League debut this year, there is still plenty of future to be excited about in the
Oneil crushes 450-foot pinch-hit HR in DR's win
MIAMI – As they prepared for their first game in this year’s World Baseball Classic, Juan Soto promised that the Dominican Republic team was going to have fun. “And we’re going to be loud,” Fernando Tatis Jr. added. Tatis wasn’t necessarily talking about the sound of Junior Caminero’s bat, but
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
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
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,
Here's the Pirates' player pool for their Spring Breakout game
BRADENTON, Fla. -- For a Pirates organization that boasts the top overall prospect -- not to mention four others ranked within MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 -- this year’s Spring Breakout figures to be a must-see showcase. Here’s everything you need to know about it: What is Spring Breakout? In 2026,
6 sneaky-fun teams to watch this season
The great NBA writer and podcaster Zach Lowe puts together an annual list called his NBA League Pass Rankings, based on watchability -- which teams, when you stumble across one of their games, you don’t dare click away. I’ve always loved this feature, because, as a sports fan, you understand
Pirates riding high in farm system rankings
For the first time in a decade, Milwaukee is the cream of the crop. The Brewers have ascended to the top spot in the MLB Pipeline farm system rankings. The last time the organization sat atop such a list was the 2016 midseason version, when it claimed eight Top 100
Pirates trade for Reds' No. 19 prospect Tyler Callihan
The Pirates swung an intradivision deal on Wednesday to acquire Tyler Callihan from the Reds. Callihan, MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 Reds prospect before the trade, is heading to the Pirates in exchange for right-hander Kyle Nicolas. He won't rank among Pittsburgh's new Top 30 Prospects list.
Skenes to make Classic debut Monday vs. Mexico
PHOENIX -- Team USA has set its star-studded rotation for the World Baseball Classic. Manager Mark DeRosa said Monday that Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Nolan McLean are lined up to start the first four games of pool play, in that order.
Here are the best potential prospect matchups at 2026 Spring Breakout
The first two years of Spring Breakout have provided several memorable matchups. Baseball's best hitting prospect (Jackson Holliday) faced baseball's best pitching prospect (Paul Skenes) in 2024, resulting in a 102-mph fastball and a strikeout on a 92-mph slider. Four of the game's dozen top-rated prospects faced off in a
Griffin just keeps 'hammering' -- Will it lead to an Opening Day roster spot?
Konnor Griffin is focusing on “hammering down” this spring. And it shows. Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, is only 19 years old, and yet he’s making a strong early case to head north with the Pirates as a member of their Opening Day roster when
Here are the Pirates' 2026 Top 30 prospects
You might not have noticed, but Konnor Griffin is creating some buzz this spring. Whether he breaks camp with the big league team or joins it later this year, it's been fun to see his tools on display right out of the gate in Grapefruit League play. If the Pirates'