In nod to their roots, Skenes, Jax arrange for Air Force cadets to watch USA-Mexico
HOUSTON -- Paul Skenes has dominated on the mound in an Air Force uniform. In an LSU uniform. In a Bradenton Marauders and Altoona Curve and Indianapolis Indians uniform. And of course in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. But the one he's wearing right now is different.
Skenes hurls four scoreless frames in USA's win vs. Mexico
HOUSTON -- The "U-S-A!" chants were booming. The Mexico fans were deafening. And in the end, the U.S. was the better team in the most hyped game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. In an electric atmosphere at Daikin Park on Monday night, Team USA defeated Mexico, 5-3, in a
Endy Rodríguez is finally healthy -- and rediscovering his form for the Pirates
TAMPA, Fla. -- Endy Rodríguez spends most of his days smiling, but this one felt different. Standing in the visitors’ clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Rodríguez's eyes lit up while discussing his second home run of Spring Training, which came during a 5-3 Pirates victory over the Yankees. Yes,
Who'll win awards in '26? Here are the top contenders in each division
The Yankees and Giants will open the 2026 MLB season on March 25. We’ll be counting down to that date with our annual preview series, with each story looking ahead to the coming season by breaking down a particular topic. Previously: The best pending free agent in each division. Today:
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
O'Hearn talks leadership, perspective and how he hopes to unite the Pirates
TAMPA, Fla. -- A few days before pitchers and catchers reported to Pirate City back in February, Ryan O'Hearn received a relatively unexpected phone call from Pirates manager Don Kelly. There was a chance the Pirates could sign Marcell Ozuna, Kelly explained. But if it happened, O’Hearn had to become
Latest Pirates injuries & transactions
This page will be updated throughout the year with the latest Pirates injury news and transactions.
Cruz already had the hardest-hit Classic HR. Now he's in 2nd place, too
MIAMI -- Fernando Tatis Jr. spent the first two games of the World Baseball Classic setting the table for his teammates. Monday, he decided to eat. Tatis hit the first grand slam by a Dominican Republic player in Classic history, setting a team record with six RBIs to lead the
Harrington, Bidois among moves as Pirates trim roster
TAMPA, Fla. -- Before Monday's game against the Yankees, the Pirates made a series of roster moves, optioning five players to Triple-A and reassigning three to Minor League camp. The first group included pitchers Brandan Bidois, Wilber Dotel, Thomas Harrington and Antwone Kelly, plus outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez. The second: catcher
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
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