We all follow the game of baseball for a different reason. It typically relates to our childhood. The game has a certain energy level and flow. There’s a progression from nothing-nothing, no men on base, to Oneil Cruz hitting a grand slam into the Allegheny River on a fly as 30,000 screaming fans in a packed house create thunder which echos off the city scape across the river, to rival the gods in the heavens above.
And if the thunder of the crowd didn’t wake them, two warning shots will be sent exploding to the sky, letting everyone in the city know that the Pittsburgh Pirates have scored again.
You wait for the next explosion. The next burst of applause and the next music to keep the energy going. The rising anticipation for a foul ball and the droan back to anticipation with the diving catch. The sustainability of screams after a disbelieving act for any of us watching on the couch with ice cream at 9 PM, or for anyone in the stadium on their fifth dollar dog.
The nature of the game shows the pinnacle of human performance, but also the practice of assembling personalities into a winning organization in a high-pressure environment. If a city sees its team win, that’s a model example of organization at the most competitive level. They write books and make movies about model organizations.
Pittsburgh got a taste of a model in the 2013-15 years. That ended in 2016, and got worse the next few years. In the constant churn of players, the Pirates made no individual a long-term core. There was always an assumption that they would trade players like Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker with one or two years remaining in their deals. That came true, and no matter if those deals turned out better or worse, they ignored the connection to a city so connected to sports.
I wrote today about how there are some positive signs from the Pirates this year, both with the promotion of Jared Jones, and the extension of Mitch Keller. Both moves show an investment in their best performing players, while also ensuring that there will be a core to follow.
Keller is signed through 2028, and Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds are both signed through 2030. Pirates fans know that if they buy a jersey of one of these players, it will be good for several years, at least. If one of these players leads to another PNC Blackout atmosphere, that jersey should be good for decades without disdain of a trade for budgetary and building reasons.
This is an organization which displays the numbers of all of the legends and retired numbers from the best teams in the 70s and earlier. There need to be legends in Pittsburgh baseball, and that can’t happen if the story is always “Remember when the Pirates had [Insert star player] at the start of his career, before he went to win with one of those big market teams?” There need to be establishments for the fans to cheer on, while also maintaining a long-term contender in Pittsburgh.
There needs to be a reason to spend so much money to visit PNC Park repeatedly.
The Pirates have a young core joining those three extended players. Jared Jones is joined by Henry Davis behind the plate. Oneil Cruz is looking to play his first full season at short. Jared Triolo is making his first Opening Day roster. Jack Suwinski brings his power bat into year three for a shot at 30+ homers. Then, there’s the eventual arrival of Paul Skenes.
The Pirates have an exciting roster to follow, with a core that is getting established for about 5-7+ years of entertaining baseball to follow, ideally with most of the players you’re seeing on this Opening Day roster.
Right now, the season is nothing-nothing.
No one has stats.
We’re still in the space where we can dream about the best case forward from here with the above names.
Once the first pitch is thrown, the marathon is live. The results start to get revealed.
PIRATES (0-0) AT MARLINS (0-0)
Game Time: 4:10 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Mitch Keller, RHP (0-0, 0.00)
Marlins Starter: Jesus Luzardo, LHP (0-0, 0.00)
Pirates Prospects Daily
In my latest column, I wrote about the Pirates setting a positive precedent for their prospects with the Jones and Keller moves.
Williams: The Pirates Are Setting Positive Precedent For Their Prospects
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This Week on Pirates Prospects
**Paul Skenes Predicts the Pirates Will Be Winning For a Long Time
The 2023 first overall pick, number one pitching prospect in the game, and number one prospect in the Pirates’ system is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh this summer. Paul Skenes notes that he’s only one man, and feels the Pirates have enough talent to win for a long time.
**Jared Jones Forces the Pirates Hand
After an impressive Spring Training, Jared Jones has made the Pirates’ Opening Day rotation. This was far from a guarantee at the start of camp, but the performance from Jones and the development of his secondary stuff was enough to force the Pirates to make a decision.
**Termarr Johnson Just Wants to Win, Including One Day in Pittsburgh
The Pirates drafted Termarr Johnson fourth overall in 2022, and the 19-year-old infielder has shown advanced contact abilities, plate patience, and surprising power. He also has a competitive drive, wanting to win everywhere he goes, including one day in Pittsburgh.
**Bubba Chandler Shows Advanced Maturity Entering Third Pro Season
After a break to reset in the middle of 2023, Bubba Chandler had some of the best numbers in the Pittsburgh Pirates system in the second half. The right-handed pitcher continues to progress this spring, working on his changeup while bringing a mature approach to his game.
Tsung-Che Cheng is no stranger to international competition and playing in front of large crowds. He also has some of the best contact skills in the Pirates’ system, and walks to the plate playing “Fast Car” by Luke Combs. Read about the man nicknamed “Z”.
**Lonnie White Jr. Shows a Competitive Drive and Quick Learning Ability
Lonnie White Jr. was drafted 64th overall in 2021, signing with the Pirates rather than going to Penn State as a two-sport athlete. Injuries slowed the start of his career, but he returned in 2023, with some of the best numbers in the system during the second half.
