Good morning from Pirate City.
–The Pirates added two “B” games to the spring training schedule. A “B” game against the Minnesota Twins at Pirate City on March 10. They also will play the Netherlands (International baseball) in St. Pete on March 12.
–Today is day two of live BP. Those players include:
Field 1: A.J. Burnett, Jeff Locke, Logan Kensing, Tim Wood
Field 2: Jeff Karstens, Daniel Moskos, Bryan Morris, Mike Crotta
Field 3: Kevin Correia, Rudy Owens, Jared Hughes
Field 4: Kyle McPherson, Gerrit Cole, Justin Wilson, Duke Welker
Pitchers will throw “two innings”, 20 pitches, sit, then throw 15 more.
— I spoke with Jake Fox this morning, and he told me he carries around nine different gloves with him. Nine. His versatility could be a great asset to the club. I’ll have a story up later on Fox.
— Charlie Morton will be the only pitcher to throw a bullpen on Sunday. He is not yet throwing live BP.
–Pirate today worked on conditioning, infield and outfield pop ups. On field 4, Mat Hague and Nick Evans took grounders at both first and third; Jordy Mercer and Yamaico Navarro at shortstop; Josh Harrison and Chase d’Arnaud at second Jeff Clement at first
On field 1: Garrett Jones and Jake Fox took grounders at first; Neil Walker at second; Clint Barmes, Anderson Hernandez at short; Pedro Alvarez, Casey McGehee at third. McGehee, Hernandez switched and played first (Casey) and second (Anderson).
— Video of Bob Nutting talking to the Pirates from this morning.
Also, here is a video of Nutting talking to media as well.
— Nutting on President Frank Coonelly DUI:
We’ve talked a lot about that whole situation. First and foremost, as a father with three daughters that are driving on the road, I was very concerned, very disappointed, frankly thankful that nobody was hurt. Frank came directly to me. We went to the senior staff with the Pirates. He was very upfront, very responsible, accepting responsibility for his actions, which were unacceptable in everyway. It was deeply disappoint, but frankly most disappointing to Frank. I’ve gotten to know him well. He’s a guy with high moral character. He takes his family, he takes his church, work, extremely seriously, and I think this was a uncharacteristic mistake. I think he really has deeply internalized and learned from it. All that being said, I think we are going to try and move forward from this point. But in no way minimizing my disappointment and his own disappointment in the action.
— Manager Clint Hurdle on A.J. Burnett’s live BP:
I’m going to go to a term here, I’m kind of like a doctor after surgery: successful. Every pitcher that’s gone out there. It’s been a success. It’s just getting out on the mound, hitter for the first time. I talked to Rod [Barajas] afterwards. Rod had caught him both rounds. He said there was improvement there, there was good finish, spotting the ball up well. The guys I saw perform today and pitched, were all in a very good place for the first time on the mound. I thought our pace was better today, our tempo was better today, more efficient with our work today.
–Hurdle on higher expectations this year:
There is a business like approach to it, but there is a baseball approach to it as well. Bob touched on everything he needed to touch on, and everything that’s real, intangible, and is going on. His share this morning was solid, it was passionate. He talked about the passion. He talked about the process that’s in place, the direction we’re headed, and more is expected. The players understand that. They understand that coming in.
