The Pittsburgh Pirates held its Spring Training home opener Wednesday losing 4-1 at McKechnie Field to the Toronto Blue Jays in front of an crowd of 6,127. Gerrit Cole started the game for the Pirates, and in his two innings threw 18 pitches, 13 of which were strikes. Cole consistently got ahead of batters, however hit Munenori Kawasaki, allowed a double to Dalton Pompey and then surrendered a run on a Dioner Navarro ground out. The Pirates scored their lone run when Blue Jays pitcher Rob ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates win Spring Training opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates used three home runs to win 8-7 in Dunedin, Fl., against the Toronto Blue Jays in a game which served as both teams Spring Training openers. Pedro Alvarez hit the first Pirates home run, a three-run shot to left field off Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez would allow a total of five runs and four hits in 1.1 innings pitched. The Pirates scored their other two runs against Sanchez when Jaff Decker hit a double off the center-field wall. Decker was 2-3 on the ... Read More
Brandon Cumpton out with elbow discomfort
Pittsburgh Pirates’ fans woke up Tuesday morning hearing the three most ominous words: Dr. James Andrews, after pitcher Brandon Cumpton stated he felt pain in his elbow after live batting practice at Pirate City. Andrews’ visits normally do not end well and the Pirates hope that Cumpton caught the injury early enough to avoid Tommy John surgery, a fate top pitching prospect Jameson Taillon met last season. According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Cumpton first noticed ... Read More
Jose Tabata sacrifice fly proves winner in Pirates scrimmage
The Pittsburgh Pirates played its annual Black-Gold scrimmage with Team Black defeating Team Gold 2-1 Monday at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, FL. This game was the first time fans got the opportunity to see Jung-ho Kang. Kang played in three innings registering a first inning ground out to short in his lone at-bat. "That's when I realized, 'Game on.' It helped a lot to get to play [before facing other teams], to get a feel for it," Kang said to the assembled media. Fans cheered loudest ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates reveal new McKechnie Field home clubhouse
A day after announcing changes to PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates did the same with McKechnie Field unveiling a new home clubhouse. The Pirates' 22,500 foot clubhouse will include: a strength and conditioning room, athletic training room, hydrotherapy, equipment room, wooden lockers for both players and coaches, a kitchen and dining hall, a conference room for the team's coaches to meet, offices and a press conference room. The clubhouse itself has multiple intentions with one being a ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates unveil ballpark changes for 2015 season
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that is has made improvements in left field, the 300 level and an administration building meeting center as the 2015 season approaches. “It is important for the Pirates, and we believe the City of Pittsburgh, that PNC Park continues to be widely considered as the best ballpark in America,” Pirates President Frank Coonelly said in a press release. “We view PNC Park as one of Major League Baseball’s iconic ballparks, and we understand that iconic ballparks ... Read More
Player-to-be-named announced in Snider trade
The Pirates announced the player-to-be-named in the Travis Snider trade with Baltimore. The team acquired 22-year-old LHP Steven Brault from the Orioles High-A Frederick organization. Brault, an 11th round pick by the Orioles in the 2013 Amateur Draft, posted an 11-8 record with a 2.77 ERA and a 0.984 WHIP in 24 starts (25 games) in 2014 between Class-A Delmarva and High-A Frederick. Brault's fastball sits 90-92 mph with some sink to it. He also has a decent slider and change up that ... Read More
Pirates unveil new performance center at Pirate City
The Pittsburgh Pirates today officially unveiled the new 12,240-square-foot performance center at Pirate City, the Pirates’ training facility in Bradenton, Florida. The new two-story performance center, which was constructed adjacent to the existing dining facility, combines leading edge technology with coaching, training and recovery support. It is designed to support the club’s year-round athletic performance and rehabilitation programs in Bradenton. The center includes coaches’ offices, ... Read More
Alvarez wins arbitration hearing
Pedro Alvarez has won his arbitration hearing against the Pirates and will earn $5.75 million this season. The Pirates offer was $5.25 million. Alvarez got the decision despite an all-around down year leading the league in errors committed while only posting a .231/.312/.405 slash line with 18 home runs — 18 less than in 2013. Alvarez will try to get back on track this season as he will complete the move to first base during the spring. The Pirates have no more players in arbitration ... Read More
Pirates new affiliate unveils logo
The West Virginia Black Bears — a Low-A short-season affiliate of the Pirates — unveiled their new logo on Wednesday at a press conference in Morgantown, WV. PRESS RELEASE – With anticipation building for Opening Day, the Black Bears today unveiled their exciting new primary team logo that combines the scenic natural beauty of their West Virginian home with the strength and power represented by the Black Bears’ name. Opening Day of the inaugural season of Black Bears baseball is just 121 ... Read More