Author: mattbandi

Today marked the first time that I attended a Pirates spring training game, as I watched the Pirates host the Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Here are a few observations from the game.

I arrived in Tampa yesterday, and I am currently making the drive down to Bradenton to watch the Pirates host the visiting Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. This is my first spring training experience, and the young fan inside me is bubbling upward in an exciting fashion.

Dejan Kovacevic reports that the Pirates trimmed the roster to 49 this morning. Top prospects Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata were sent to...

When we compared the Pirates’ 2009 offense with the team’s 2010 projections, we found that the Bucs should expect to see a five-win improvement strictly through their performance at the plate. That is all well and good, but it is only one aspect of the team. Today we look at the defense, which does not look quite as optimistic.

Via Jen Langosch, Neal Huntington has indicated that D.J. Carrasco is very likely to be in the Pirates' bullpen at the beginning of the...

Neil Walker will begin the 2010 season at Triple-A, his third consecutive stint at that level. The former top prospect’s future is murky at best, with Andy LaRoche blocking him in Pittsburgh and Pedro Alvarez storming through the minor leagues.

Dejan Kovacevic reports that the Pirates have made their first cuts of spring training, sending Ramon Aguero, Argenis Diaz, Brian Friday, Gorkys Hernandez, Brandon...

Jen Langosch reports that only standing room and single-seat tickets are available for the Pirates' opener on April 5th.

Neal Huntington was handed a group of major leaguers that were in their prime years, but were no better than average for the most part. In addition to that, they were approaching free agency, and there were few prospects available to replace them. So Huntington waved his magic wand and made that group of players five years younger, setting up the Pirates for potential success several years sooner than expected.

Utility infielder Ramon Vazquez told Dejan Kovacevic that he does not expect to head north with the Pirates at the end of spring training.

There are numerous player projection systems available to the public these days. I figured I would throw my hat into the ring. These are mostly just for fun, but I hope you enjoy.

Pirates pitching prospects Colton Cain, Zach Fuesser and Brett Lorin will miss the first half of the season with injuries. None are arm...