Blogs

Right-handed pitcher Victor Black, a supplemental pick with the 49th overall selection in the recent draft, has signed with the Pirates. Black, 21, posted a 6-4 record in 15 starts as a junior at Dallas Baptist University this season, striking out 99 batters in 88.2 innings pitched. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is scheduled to begin his [...]

DENVER — The Pirates’ clubhouse was not a fun place to be the past couple of nights, for obvious and slightly different reasons. Friday, there was stunned reaction to the news that veteran outfielder Craig Monroe had been designated for assignment. Nobody has anything against Steve Pearce, who was called up from Triple-A, but the [...]

DENVER — Moments after Andrew McCutchen ripped a three-run triple Saturday night against the Rockies, I received this Tweet from the folks at the Raise the Jolly Roger blog: “Greatness in dreadlocks.” That about sums it up, huh? In 44 games this season before he was traded, Nate McLouth (remember him?) had 17 extra-base hits [...]

DENVER — Did the Pirates really bring up Steve Pearce to play right field? He hopes not. It Pearce had his druthers, he’d be a full-time first baseman. “(First base) is a position I’m comfortable with,” Pearce said. “It’s where I’ve always played. When I go to the outfield … I’m trying so hard to [...]

DENVER — Catcher Tony Sanchez, the Pirates’ top draft pick this year, will make his pro debut Saturday with short-season low-A State College. The Spikes open their season with one game at Williamsport, then play at home Sunday. Sanchez will remain with State College through its three-game road series June 22-24 against Mahoning Valley. He [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — The Pirates this afternoon came to terms with right-hander Brooks Pounders, their second-round draft pick. Pounders, 18, turned down a scholarship to Southern Cal to sign his pro contract. Pounders went 9-2 with a 1.96 ERA this season for Temecula (Calif.) High School. He is the seventh 2009 draft pick to sign, and [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — Left-handed reliever John Grabow’s heroic effort last night got lost amid all the hoopla of the LaRoche brothers both going deep and Andrew McCutchen smacking his first career homer. So, here’s some props, Grabes: Seventh inning, Pirates up 4-2. Grabow relieves Ian Snell and gets an easy grounder to start the frame. Brendan [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — High school pitcher Matt Dermody, a Pirates draft pick, struck out all 18 batters he faced Monday in throwing a six-inning perfect game. Dermody, 18, a senior at Norwalk High in Des Moines, Iowa, also hit a pair of home runs in the 10-0 victory against South Tama High. Iowa high schools play [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — The changeup is highly valued by Pirates management, a point of emphasis from the front office at PNC Park to the lowest level of the minors. People in the industry also recognized how important the pitch is to a pitcher’s development and success. But, let’s face it, the change isn’t the sexiest weapon [...]

MINNEAPOLIS — The Pirates have signed five more draft picks: right-handers Marc Baca (42nd round) and Jason Erickson (24th round), infielder Ty Summerlin (30th round), and outfielders Jose Hernandez (23rd round) and Pat Irvine (33rd round). All five were college players. That brings the number of draft picks who’ve agreed to contracts with the Pirates [...]