ALTOONA, Pa. -- Right-hander James McDonald took the mound at People's Natural Gas Field on Saturday afternoon to get some final work in of the spring before the season kicks off on Monday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Facing the Pirates Double-A affiliate the Altoona Curve, McDonald had a rough first inning --allowing four runs-- but was able to finish off the lengthy frame with a scoreless second to end his outing. "I think at times, James just tries to feel his way through things," ... Read More
Are Pirates one player away from a dominant outfield?
Several sites have put out their "Best Outfields in Baseball" list after the Atlanta Braves recently acquired Justin Upton. This move has solidified the Braves at the top of these lists. Atlanta now has BJ Upton, Justin Upton and Jason Heyward. Other teams to show up on the list include the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals. There are other teams that round out the Top 10 that are solid in maybe two positions and iffy on the thrid ... Read More
Marte MVP of Dominican Winter League Finals
It isn't rare that MLB players join a winter league team to keep in shape for the regular season back here in the states. The Pittsburgh Pirates' left fielder Starling Marte was no exception. Marte went back to where he was born, the Dominican, to play for Escodigo in the Dominican Winter League this off-season. Marte's club swpet the Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League Finals, the equivalent to the MLB World Series, just a little less publicized. For the series, Marte went 11-21 and ... Read More
Why Starling Marte gives Pirates fans hope
If you're a Pirates fan and someone asked you to name the biggest bright spot on the roster, most likely you'll spit out two words: Andrew McCutchen. Now look a couple years into the future. Picture a possible future Hall of Famer in McCutchen standing in center field and then look just a little bit to your left. There you'll find Starling Marte. Marte has the potential to be up there with the likes of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout, the two rookies who took Major League Baseball by storm this past ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week Award: Tino Sunseri
Here at the Yinzer, we are going to be doing a "Yinzer of the Week Award" coming each and every Tuesday. To win the award, you of course have to be from Pittsburgh and have to perform well in your sport over the weekend. While there were many candidates this week, I decided to give the inaugural award to Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri. No, seriously. Sunseri is in his senior season at Pitt and the majority of fans are ready to get him off campus. He bad in a loss to Youngstown State and ... Read More