FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Pirates’ Spring Training lockers are not necessarily arranged by name, number or even position. Players are grouped together for different reasons, often to encourage interaction. So it is not an accident that Mitch Keller reports to LECOM Park every morning to find his No. 23 jersey next to No. 50, Jameson Taillon.

It might be easy to forget based on his prospect pedigree, but this is all still new for Keller. This is his first time in Major League Spring Training, and Tuesday was his first big league spring start. So while this is an opportunity for Keller to make a good impression before potentially making his Major League debut this summer, it’s also a valuable learning experience.

“I’m trying to get better every time out there, learning as much as I can from guys and trying to use that out on the mound,” Keller said.

Keller’s spring debut didn’t go the way he had hoped. The Twins made plenty of hard contact as he gave up two runs on three hits without a walk or strikeout in one inning of work during the Pirates’ 6-5 loss at Hammond Stadium. The Pirates’ top prospect threw all his pitches, said he felt fine and credited Minnesota’s hitters for taking good swings against him.

Keller gave up a single to leadoff man Max Kepler before retiring the next two hitters. J.B. Shuck got turned around in center field on Eddie Rosario’s ground-rule double, which brought home Kepler. Tyler Austin then smacked an RBI single to left. Jason Castro lined out to right field, ending the inning.

“Obviously, they saw it pretty well. It’s just the way it goes,” said Keller, who was only scheduled to pitch one inning on Tuesday. “Just have to go back and look where I can be better. I felt good. That’s the main thing.”

Keller is ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season after bouncing back from a rough start in Indianapolis to post a 3.09 ERA over his final eight starts last year. Taillon was a little further from the Majors in his first big league camp six years ago. Taillon spent that time watching and learning from more established pitchers like A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano, Jason Grilli, Mark Melancon and Tony Watson.

The Pirates hope to see Keller do the same with, among others, Taillon.

“There are conversations that can be had, and maybe not all pitching related. It can be what you believe in, what’s the purpose of your bullpen,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Then it can be watching Jamo work and how he handles himself within the clubhouse and on the field.”

Their relationship dates back years, Keller said. Keller was drafted and assigned to the Gulf Coast League in 2014, when Taillon was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the Pirate City complex in Bradenton. At some point soon, they could be part of the same big league rotation.

“The first thing that jumps out for him is he’s extremely polished for a young guy. He’s not intimidated to play catch with us or talk and ask questions,” Taillon said. “I was a little intimidated my first big league camp. He’s very mature beyond his years and very polished.”

Robbed by Baron

Catcher Steven Baron, a non-roster invitee who is highly regarded for his defense, wowed his new teammates and the Hammond Stadium crowd with a highlight-reel play for the second out in the first inning of Tuesday’s game.

The Twins’ Mitch Garver hit a popup in foul territory, and Baron tracked it toward Minnesota’s dugout. The 28-year-old catcher made a diving catch and tumbled down the steps, earning an ovation when he emerged from the dugout with a smile on his face.

“I told him after that’s the greatest catch I’ve ever seen in my life,” the 22-year-old Keller said. “I think he kicked over three buckets on the way to do it. It’s the greatest catch I’ve ever seen.”

Game report

Shortstop Erik González and third baseman Jung Ho Kang each went 0-for-3. Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Kramer hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the fourth inning, and Jason Martin put the Pirates ahead with an RBI single to right. Patrick Kivlehan increased Pittsburgh’s lead with a solo homer in the fifth.

Right-hander Michael Feliz worked two scoreless innings, and lefty Tyler Lyons pitched a scoreless fourth. Reliever Brandon Maurer allowed four runs while recording two outs in the fifth, although only one of them was earned. Right-hander J.T. Brubaker, the Pirates’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, worked two scoreless innings.

Martin manufactured a run in the seventh, reaching third on a single followed by a two-base error before scoring on a wild pitch. Shortstop prospect Cole Tucker ripped a line drive to right-center field with two outs in the ninth, but right fielder Jon Kemmer chased it down.

Up next

The Pirates will return to LECOM Park on Wednesday to host the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Clay Holmes, who will likely serve as rotation depth in Triple-A to begin the season, is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh. Liriano and right-handers Kyle Crick, Dovydas Neverauskas, Aaron Slegers, Nick Burdi and Luis Escobar are also expected to pitch for the Bucs.

The game will air exclusively via webcast on pirates.com. Hall of Fame hockey broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick is expected to join Greg Brown and Steve Blass during the broadcast.