Despite not factoring into the decision, Pirates rookie pitcher Jared Jones delivered a historic performance in Saturday’s win against the Rockies. Given his historically great start to his career, it’s hard to believe that Jared Jones (2-3) has a losing record.  After a modest showing in his last outing, the rookie right-hander was nearly perfect against the Rockies on Saturday. Jones went seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 batters and walking none. He got 17 whiffs on 96 pitches and reached 100 mph on his fastball before receiving a standing ovation as ..read more

At long last, the Pittsburgh Pirates have activated veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal from the injured list. Henry Davis was sent to triple-A Indianapolis to make room for him in a corresponding move that surprised nobody.   The Pirates ended the rehab assignment for C Yasmani Grandal and activated him from the 10 Day Injured List. Henry Davis has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Grandal will be active tonight vs. COL. — Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) May 3, 2024 Exit Davis Davis, 24, was the Pirates’ No. 1 pick (and first overall) in the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the ..read more

One common criticism of Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton is his unwillingness to stick with a set lineup every day. The Pirates offense has been pathetic lately and is a chief reason why they’re 5-16 in their last 21 games. Pirates batters are hitless in their last 16 at-bats with runners in scoring position. To borrow a phrase the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll once said of his troubled defensive lineman Ernie Holmes, Shelton has problems, and they are many. However, the use of a set lineup won’t solve them. Pirates started 20-8 last year. Proceeded to go 5-16. Were ..read more

The Pittsburgh Pirates offense is hurting, and it’s time to look to the triple-A Indianapolis Indians for help. After a promising 8-2 start, the Pirates are 14-16 after Monday’s 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Oakland Athletics. The Pirates rank in the bottom third of the most important offensive categories among the 15 National League teams. They rank second in the NL in drawing walks, but the issue has been the lack of hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP). They’ve dropped to 15th in the major leagues in batting average in RISP situations. The Ultimate Insult The ultimate insult ca ..read more

After being given a $10.5 million contract by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Aroldis Chapman has been a disappointment recently. After a good start to the season, Chapman now has an ERA of 6.00, a WHIP of 1.889, and a FIP of 5.05 at the close of Sunday’s action. In 13 appearances covering nine innings, he’s struck out 16 but walked 12. As ugly as those statistics are, they hardly begin to tell the story of how it’s gone for Chapman lately. In his first seven games, he didn’t give up a run or a hit, earning a save and five holds. In the next six, however, in four innings the big left-hander gave up e ..read more

Critics who wondered why the Pittsburgh Pirates traded for Joey Bart have been silenced by his hot start. Bart was the No. 1 draft choice (second overall) by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 June Amateur Draft. The Pirates acquired the catcher in a trade with the Giants on April 2 in exchange for minor league pitcher Austin Strickland. Depending on one’s point of view, Bart either failed with San Francisco or was never given much of an opportunity. Before playing in Triple-A, he was forced into action during the 2020 COVID-shortened season when Buster Posey declined to participate. In 162 ..read more

As Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis continues to underperform, it’s time to consider a demotion to Triple-A. Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB June Amateur Draft in 2021, was expected to contribute offensively, especially in the power department, while doing a reasonable job defensively. So far, he’s largely failed at both. After a promising spring exhibition season where Davis was 13-for-42 with four home runs, his offense has disappeared. After 18 regular season games, he’s hitting just .172/.286/.224. He has yet to hit a home run and has a strike-out rate of 31 percent. He’s b ..read more

This past weekend the rumor surfaced that the Pittsburgh Pirates soon will promote top prospect Paul Skenes to the big club. It’s the news Pirates fans – indeed, all baseball fans – have been waiting for. It was first mentioned, rather casually, on the Pirates’ telecast on Friday. It has since been repeated in the local papers. (Or what passes for local “papers.” They’re mostly digital now.) For the benefit of those readers who have been living under a rock since last summer, Skenes was the Pirates’ No. 1 draft pick, and the first pick overall, in the 2023 MLB June Amateur Draft. The six-foot ..read more

When Bailey Falter left spring training with a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation, many baseball observers were surprised. Like, 100 percent of them. The left-hander finished the exhibition season with a 0-2 record and a 7.88 ERA. In 16 innings, he gave up 14 earned runs and six home runs and had a WHIP of 1.563. The only positive of his spring training performance was that no children or animals were harmed while he was on the mound. Much-Maligned Pirates Pitcher Is Exceeding Expectations However, after four starts in the regular season, Falter is 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA and an out ..read more

After a promising start, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now 11-8 thanks in part to a disturbing trend that has emerged. The Pirates began the season by winning their first five games and were the third team in baseball to 10 wins. However, this week’s three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Mets has the Bucs reeling and searching for answers. Although not the only culprit, an all-too-passive approach at the plate has reared its ugly head. Let’s note at the start that it’s too early to write off the Pirates in 2024. The schedule maker wasn’t kind to the Pittsburgh club, which played 14 of it ..read more