For the final time before the second half of play begins, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters to discuss various topics. On pitcher Gerrit Cole's health and ideal return date: “We'll see how he responds and bounces back. Ideally, we'll get him back soon after the All-Star break if he can, but if he needs another one we'll get him another one.” On pitcher Jameson Taillon's health: “He's doing great. We had planned on giving him 10 days around the All-Star ... Read More
Pirates Kevin Newman living up to first-round billing
Kevin Newman might not have been the flashiest pick of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He is a college shortstop who had never hit a collegiate home run. His ceiling might not be too high. He was the safe selection. Yet, the Pittsburgh Pirates first-round pick keeps producing. Newman’s .347 batting average is second in the Florida State League. He has even hit two home runs for Single-A Bradenton. The 22-year-old could be ready for a call-up to Double-A Altoona in the coming ... Read More
Cole Tucker to miss 10-12 months
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Cole Tucker, the team's first-round draft pick in 2014, had surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder and will miss 10-12 months. Tucker was ranked as the 19th best prospect in the team's system. With the Single-A West Virginia Power this season, Tucker batted .293 with two home runs and 25 RBI to go with an OPS of .699. Tucker also had 13 errors which is currently the second highest total on the team. Just before the end of Spring Training this ... Read More
Pirates lose series, ground in NL Central to Cardinals
Defensive lapses once again reared their head as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell by a 4-2 score Wednesday night to the St. Louis Cardinals. The big blow came in the sixth inning when Gregory Polanco tried to run down a ball in shallow right field. He misjudged it and the ball rolled to the wall. After the dust had cleared, Randal Grichuk scored what proved to be the game-winning run and Yadier Molina was on third base with his second triple of the season. In addition to that miscue, the Pirates ... Read More
Neal Huntington on Cole Tucker’s injury and Vance Worley’s uncertain future
As he does every Sunday home game, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with the media discussing a variety of topics both at the major and minor league level. On Vance Worley accepting assignment: “We are still awaiting word. Obviously our hope is that he will [accept the assignment]. As a guy with more than three years of service and a prior outright he does have the ability to refuse the assignment and go somewhere else. We made it clear that we would love for him to stay ... Read More
Pirates pregame 6/15: Hello Newman, sorry Vance
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had its struggles at the start of Interleague play this season with a 1-4 record. The Pirates now being a four game stretch against the Chicago White Sox with two games at home and two on the road. Tonight’s starters: The Pirates will face its second consecutive lefty. They are in the middle of a stretch containing four left-handed starters. Francisco Liriano is the Pirates pitcher tonight and is 5-4 with a 4.99 ERA in 15 career games [11 starts]. His last start ... Read More
Report: Pirates sign first-round draft pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly agreed to terms with its first-round selection Kevin Newman. Chris Cotillo, of MLB Daily Dish, who first reported the deal, cited that the deal was signed to a deal close to slot value. The estimated slot value was close to $2.3 million. Newman was named a Pac-12 selection after hitting .370 in 2015. During the season he had 19 doubles, two home runs, 36 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Newman also was named to the 2015 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Watch ... Read More
Pirates take ‘best player available’ approach
You can call it the year of the shortstop as the Pirates drafted shortstops Kevin Newman and Kevin Kramer, while also drafting third basemen Ke'Bryan Hayes. "It's a good year for shortstops and it's been a good year for middle-of-the-diamond players," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "Each Draft has strengths. Each Draft has challenges. This just happened to be a good year for middle-of-the-diamond players." Newman got the call two minutes before the selection was made and ... Read More
Pirates select SS Kevin Newman in first round
With the 19th pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected short stop Kevin Newman from the University of Arizona. The 20-year-old may not be well known for his power, but his raw ability to hit the ball, discipline, base running and defensive play makes up for all of that. The Poway, California native stands 6 feet high and is weighs 175 pounds. Newman shows great potential in the batter’s box, on the base paths, as well as on defense. He is also the only player who has back to ... Read More