Suffice it to say that Starling Marte is a huge part of the Pittsburgh Pirates resurgence into prominence in 2013 with his offense. Marte is hitting .287/.355/.422 with, Six home runs, 19 RBI and 20 stolen bases through 64 games, but there's another part of his game that makes you want to stop and take notice. Tonight against Cincinnati Marte made a sensational catch running down a line drive off the bat of ...

In the 2008 draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected a player they envisioned would lock down third base for years to come and more importantly the cleanup spot in the batting order for years to come. It has been a work in progress, as Pedro Alvarez has yet to do the latter, but in reality, Alvarez is right on schedule when compared to other power hitters and could become the new Adam Dunn. The Pirates select ...

Brandon Cumpston's minor league contract has been purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates and he is expected to start Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cumpton is not considered a high prospect, ranking 25th in the Pirate's organization, but the 24-year-old has been solid for AAA Indianapolis, tossing a 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 66 AAA innings. The Pirates are off to another solid first half star ...

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jeff Locke allowed held the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits over seven innings of work and the Pirates shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0. Locke (6-1) struck out five and walked one to win his sixth straight decision while lowering his ERA to 2.19. Andrew McCutchen drilled a two-run double in the third inning to stake Locke to a  to run lead, Mark Melancon  pitched the eighth an ...

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed staff ace A.J. Burnett on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday evening due to a strained right calf muscle, an injury that Burnett disclosed to Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle on Wednesday. Since the injury was announced, Pittsburgh has not disclosed how the strain came about. Due to a lack of information on the severity of the strain, Burnett's timetable for a return to the ro ...

The first-overall pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gerrit Cole, dazzled in his major league debut on Tuesday night, living up to the hype that has followed the top pitching prospect throughout his career at UCLA and the Pirates minor league system. After receiving his big league call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day, Cole joined the club in Pittsburgh for his deb ...

The Pittsburgh Pirates top pitching prospect Gerrit Cole is reportedly set to make his major league debut on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants. The first-overall pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft by the Pirates out of UCLA, Cole has been heralded as one of the most dominant and polished young arms in professional baseball. Cole has moved quickly with the Pirates, dominating all minor league levels l ...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have two unlikely arms leading their pitching arsenal this season. Third-year newcomer Jeff Locke, in his first full time season as a starter, and veteran journeyman Jason Grilli, who has become the Pirates closer and one of the best relievers in the game. In a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday, Locke would work seven scoreless innings, surrendering three hits while striki ...

Pirates' starter, James McDonald, was placed on the disabled list right before his start on Tuesday with stiffness in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old may only miss one start with the DL placement retroactive to May 1st depending on how he feels over the next few days. Jeanmar Gonzalez took Mcdonald's spot in the rotation and infielder Josh Harrison was recalled from AAA Indianapolis. Fantasy Play: It wa ...

In news that will not likely come as a surprise to anyone the Pittsburgh Pirates designated starter Jonathan Sanchez for assignment the team annouced. Sanchez has allowed 18 runs in 13 2/3 innings in 2013  and was suspended by Major League Baseball for six games for hitting Allen Craig with the pitch in the first inning of a game with the St. Louis Cardinals. He appealed and had a hearing set for Friday. Ri ...

The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff, to put it one way, is running on fossil fuels. Before long, the whole party's going to crash. The Pirates are currently 10-9 despite playing one of the most challenging early-season schedules in baseball. They're fourth in the Majors in staff ERA and second in batting average against, just good enough to float an offense that still ranks 20th or worse in every meaningf ...

Clint Barmes batted .229 with eight home runs and 45 rbi in 2012, which are all close to his 2011 numbers (.244,12 home runs, 39 rbi). Barmes played solid defense, registering a .972 fielding percentage, slightly above his career average. Those numbers are right in line with Barmes' career numbers and for the most part meet the Pirates expectations of solidifying the middle infield. If you followed the 2012 ...

I want to believe the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to contend in 2013, the Pirates want you to believe they will contend this season. Have faith that these players will give it their all out on the field and understand that this team is certainly improved over the 2012 edition. But if you believe the words of Bob Nutting, you are setting yourself up for most likely a disaster and if nothing else, most certa ...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have completed a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks sending infielder John McDonald to Pittsburgh.  McDonald is owed $1.5 million in 2013 and will be a free agent at the end of the season.  Arizona acquired McDonald late in the 2011 season  and has hit .230  with six home runs and 24 RBI  with the Diamondbacks. "It's hard," D-backs GM Kevin Towers told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and W ...