When the Pirates traded Josh Bell to the Nationals in the winter of 2020, they acquired two very different types of pitchers. Wil Crowe was a Major League-ready prospect, while Eddy Yean was a 19-year-old with only 10 games of Rookie Ball experience. At the time, Yean was better known for flipping tractor tires in a workout video than for his pitching. Fast forward to the present, and Yean, now 23, is in Major League camp with the Pirates. On Friday afternoon, he showcased his potential by recording the final six outs in the Pirates’ 3-2 win over the Phillies at LECOM Park, striking out a pair. This performance serves as a testament to Yean's progress and potential, far surpassing his earlier highlight video.
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Yean's journey through the Pirates’ farm system has been long and challenging, but his hard work is paying off. Reflecting on his progress, Yean said, “I’ve been working so hard to be known, and finally, I’ve got the chance.” His determination and perseverance have not gone unnoticed, and the Pirates are eager to see what he can bring to the team. As he continues to impress in Major League camp, Yean’s story is a reminder of the dedication and resilience required to succeed in professional baseball. With performances like Friday’s, Yean is making a strong case for his future in the big leagues.

Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ first-round pick in the 2024 Draft, has been making quite an impression during his first Spring Training camp. When Griffin singled in his first at-bat on February 23, manager Derek Shelton's reaction was likely shared by many fans—excitement over the hit, followed by astonishment at realizing Griffin was born in 2006. As the Pirates' No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Griffin has shown why he is highly regarded, highlighted by his first professional home run against the Orioles on Saturday.
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Griffin, who was born during Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" reign at the top of the Billboard charts, is eager to absorb as much as possible from his time with the big league team. “Being around the big league team, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can,” Griffin said earlier this Spring Training. “It’s a great opportunity to grow my game and see how things are run at the big league level.” His precocious performance and dedication to learning have been evident, and the Pirates are hopeful that Griffin will continue to develop into a key contributor for the team's future success.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have claimed right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, as reported by Thomas Harding ofMLB.com.The Rockies placed Lawrence on waivers over the weekend, and while the Pirates have yet to formally announce the claim, they will need to make a corresponding move on their 40-man roster to accommodate Lawrence once the transaction is official. The 30-year-old pitcher had agreed to a $975K salary earlier this offseason, avoiding arbitration in the process. The Pirates will assume this salary and hope to see a resurgence in Lawrence's performance after a challenging 2024 season.
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Lawrence struggled in 2024, posting a 6.49 ERA. However, he showed promise as a reliable late-inning reliever for the Rockies in 2023, saving 11 games and recording 11 holds with a 3.72 ERA. The Pirates are banking on a rebound effort from Lawrence, who has demonstrated the ability to be an effective bullpen arm in the past. As the Pirates integrate Lawrence into their roster, they will be closely monitoring his progress and looking for him to regain his previous form to bolster their relief corps.

Carmen Mlodzinski, the Pittsburgh Pirates' right-hander, is being stretched out as a starter during spring training. Mlodzinski, who has primarily been used as a reliever in the past two seasons, expressed his desire to return to a starting role. The Pirates' management has been supportive of his ambition, and they have agreed to build up his innings during spring training. Mlodzinski's diverse pitch arsenal, including a four-seamer, slider, cutter, sweeper, changeup, and sinker, along with his neutral splits against righties and lefties, make him a viable candidate for the rotation. However, he faces stiff competition from other pitchers in the Pirates' system, including Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller.
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Despite the challenges, Mlodzinski remains determined to prove himself as a starter. His previous experience as a starter in the minors and his success as a reliever in the majors provide a solid foundation for this transition. The Pirates' decision to stretch him out as a starter reflects their commitment to exploring all options for their pitching staff. As spring training progresses, Mlodzinski will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and make a case for a spot in the starting rotation. His journey from the bullpen to the rotation will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant roster moves following the signing of free agent left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated right-handed pitcher Brett De Geus for assignment. De Geus, who has been designated for assignment multiple times in his career, struggled in 2024 with a 7.15 ERA over 11.1 innings pitched across three teams. Despite his challenges, De Geus has shown potential with a sinking fastball averaging 96.4 mph, making him a candidate for another team to claim him off waivers.
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In addition to De Geus, the Pirates also released right-handed pitcher Yerry Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who signed a minor league contract with the Pirates in November, had an 8.17 ERA over 36.1 innings in the majors since 2022. Control issues have plagued Rodriguez throughout his career, limiting his effectiveness at the MLB level. With these moves, the Pirates aim to optimize their roster and provide opportunities for other players to step up during Spring Training.

Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Scott Sauerbeck has passed away at the age of 53. Sauerbeck, who played for the Pirates from 1999 to 2003, was known for his effective left-handed relief pitching. He was a key part of the Pirates' bullpen during his tenure and still holds the team record for the most games pitched in a season by a left-hander.
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Sauerbeck's career also included stints with the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, and Oakland Athletics. He was well-regarded for his "sweeper" curveball and his contributions to the teams he played for. The baseball community mourns his loss, and his family and friends are in the thoughts of many during this difficult time.

Before agreeing to terms with Andrew Heaney, the Pittsburgh Pirates extended a contract offer to veteran pitcher Jose Quintana. However, Quintana declined the offer, reportedly turning down a stronger guarantee than what Heaney eventually received. This decision led the Pirates to pivot and secure Heaney for their starting rotation.
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Quintana's rejection highlights the competitive nature of free-agent signings, with teams quickly adjusting their strategies to secure the best available talent. The Pirates' move to sign Heaney underscores their commitment to bolstering their pitching staff for the upcoming season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to sign veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. The deal includes performance bonuses and is pending Heaney passing a physical. This move strengthens the Pirates' starting rotation as they gear up for the 2025 season.
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Heaney, who has a career record of 51-62 with a 4.45 ERA, has spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Angels. At 33 years old, he brings experience and depth to the Pirates' pitching staff, which is expected to be a key factor in their performance this season.

Daniel Vogelbach has been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special assistant to the hitting department. The former MLB first baseman and designated hitter, known for his time with teams like the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and the Pirates, brings over a decade of experience to his new role. Vogelbach's most recent stint was with the Mets, where he played a key part in their 2022 playoff run. His extensive career will now be used to help develop young hitters for the Pirates.
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After a challenging 2023 season and a short time with the Blue Jays in 2024, Vogelbach has decided to transition into coaching. His in-depth knowledge of hitting and mechanics is seen as a valuable addition to the Pirates' coaching staff. This move allows him to share his expertise with the next generation of ballplayers, marking a significant shift from his playing career to mentoring. The Pirates are hopeful that Vogelbach's insights will have a positive impact on their offensive development moving forward.