Pirates Spring Training Live From LECOM Park: Jose Urquidy and Konnor Griffin Lead The Bucs Against Team Colombia

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Welcome to the photo short time.

Three games. You're brought to you by sandals.

I am Neil. I'm here live.

Part of that.

I have outstanding.

Yes.

We're now officially important.

So the fire is going to take on scale.

Columbia State.

And our itching magic today.

It was a 30.

And who will you check?

Things used to be the age of healing.

It makes you feel great.

That's what we're doing.

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No.

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And Columbia.

They got these great beauties.

It's a fact that they have it.

It should be a fun thing.

It's based on plastic.

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But that interactive.

I'll be out here.

I'm.

I thought it is.

I go to more in there.

It just gives me all the generic.

I'm.

It's.

It's.

It's important.

It's.

Maybe bring.

See.

It's.

It's.

It's.

It's.

Yeah.

It's going to be a fun.

Where we're lucky.

That's what we do with old things like when you get to the old baseball class, they need to see the sky.

The bar will save its absolute impact on the fans.

So hopefully we can also respond to that today, we'll see you in the next video.

Talk to Hoa with the Pirates on Star Wars 13, who's going to be on the mound this such a time and spree that he's going to be bitching at.

Hey, and well, these are all the people we've been talking about in a virtual group that easily wonder guys why they didn't do that in a spot, and well.

Yeah, because he's has three schools yesterday and led the entirety of spring training sort of in with, and we have no idea what the Pirates, you know, are thinking internally, like they may decide who the first starter is.

But if it's a petition, it's an interesting competition now, because Erkitty looked good in his first outing hit, a really good first sitting shaky in the second inning, but Barco looked great two days ago and Clevager looked lights out yesterday, so right, again, what has been one of the problems with the Ben Charington area is too, too often we've just handed people jobs that we're not ready that didn't earn them, they didn't have a good spring or a good showing or weren't good at Triple A or what have you.

And this is a competition it is with right now was like three and Carmen Maginski's in it, who's also pitching well, there's four guys that are buying for this, yeah, and they seem to know that what's on the line and what's at stake, yeah, that makes it really interesting and over the past like month or two, like a lot of what the Pirates like talk has been ever since they wrapped up the big moves, especially after O'Zuna is maybe the piracy to out of fifth starter, and I know Ben loves saying that he wants ten or so guys able to pitch and throw games at any given point in time.

And the step guys step in a little Barco with her kitty and with Clevager, I am a Jinsky on top of that suddenly they don't have as much of a problem with that anymore, like they really have a they have a lot of options to choose from the only one can win.

Count that Jerry Jones is coming back from injury, but it's it's something to watch in spring training and it's actually been a fun competition because these guys are dealing.

I mentioned this yesterday the Piracy is 29 pictures last year right there's we have a lot of guys that aren't going to pitch more than 150 innings so even if you don't win.

The fifth starter competition coming out of camp you're going to get some starts right on a barco is going to make starts for this team Clevager is going to make starts for this team or can he's going to make starts for this team.

Maginski will probably if anything at the bare minimum make them as sort of yeah so right and then there's other guys that we've seen that that are way off the right of guys like Antoine Kelly.

Christian Curtis that sort of thing right like right now that you won't even consider them, but again we're going to go to 30 pictures this year and you know.

Injuries have an ineffectiveness all sorts of things can change your plans on sort of a dime so it's good to see that these guys are pitching well it's good to see that they're taking the competition seriously and you know hopefully we get great friction out of that.

The starter spot this year because that's a difference maker yeah but to your point about like I think earlier we would have thought maybe it would have been didn't go out and you add somebody else and I'm again I'd love it if you brought somebody else in.

But I know it's it's fine yeah like these guys look like they'll be able to man position again fifth starter we have an ace you know so yeah and then we've got Mitch Keller I have for Bubba and for Ashcraft so yeah this pitching shape again could be you know it looks like a strength of the team you know we've lost some depth but maybe then knew what he was doing.

Maybe yeah and well I think it's interesting to you so we talk about the fifth starter roll to but these guys also there's plenty of roles in this bullpen and with guys like Jared Jones coming back from injury and Ashcraft and Chandler you know guys who haven't really.

Pitched a full inning like of innings in terms of major league innings like you're not going to pitch to one of these guys so maybe if you're not a fifth starter you still see Clevenger helping piggyback these guys like you know coming in and pitching two or three innings after they leave.

Especially the preserve arms I don't think they want another yohan of the eight of situation they're going to have to be careful of Jones and so even if they don't make like you said don't make the fifth rotation spot there still should be places on mdm will be roster for multiple of these guys and Erkides going to have to prove that today right right I mean I don't I don't think Ashcraft pitched into the sixth inning last year in his.

Yeah starts right we we we was down innings restriction they're going to be on any restrictions again this year not as severe so right I wouldn't be mad if Clevenger came in in the fourth inning if you know or whatever pitch the fifth six and seven or pitch for second third you know whatever these guys are going to be able to help the team the opportunity is there you know it's in all hands on deck situation with this pitching staff as it always is you just like said you don't go through the year it's very few teams.

Have all five starters you know make all the stars I mean it just doesn't happen so yeah we're going to need these guys that you know at this point is freeing it's very early March 3rd March 3rd March 4th yeah March 4th already about yeah I don't know actually but yeah also to every what do they say about spring training every day is to yeah so but yeah it's like these guys have a great opportunity to help this team and if they're effective that

go a long way to the pirates you know sort of breaking through and having a winning record yeah so let's talk a little bit about the pitching Erky the excited to see him excited to see what it does it's opportunity especially against team Columbia and let's talk a little bit the lineup so lineup is about half starters have prospects we have man gum leading off followed by Connor Griffin then Spencer Horowitz who I am surprised isn't what team is real yes as they start playing against the Marlins today then Joey Bart Nick York Jeratrio Valdez the password

and finally Billy Cook and so well and yes and Manuel yes and so out of those guys name two guys you're excited to see today number one you know it's easy it's Conor Griff of course yeah yeah you know we want to see Conor I'm tired to talk about Conor but all I want to do is watch Conor so we decided to see him and you know I want to see you know Spencer Horowitz Spencer Horowitz is it was the best hit around the team last year

I didn't expect to see him because we thought again we thought he was going to be with team Israel I don't know why he hasn't gone but if he's here I want to see him I would you know he started out injured last year and and it took him a little while to get go but once he did you know he was kind of you know hitting the balls into the gap quite a bit I would love to see that from day one yeah and Don Kelly and his pressure yesterday was talking a little bit about how Horowitz has been able to feel much more comfortable and relaxed because he's actually had a spring training right you know last year

not only was he coming to a new team but he also you know like not hurt he had to do wrist surgery he didn't get that build up and had to do that like in triple A during the middle of the year and so we're hoping like the night that music you have a nice solid transition in because when he started the pirates you know

wrist injuries are tough and the first month or so he wasn't very good was able to build into that and so I'm excited yeah I'm excited to see that too hopefully that means like he hits the he gets out the gate running for this team offensively

right exactly if you can start out like he finished last year again it would be a bone for this lineup and you know it looks better it looks much better but we still need we we can't just count on those three guys

yeah right we need Spencer Horowitz we need O'Neill Cruz we need Brian Brian Reynolds and then if we can get anything for

anybody else that yeah that will be a bonus but those guys have to contribute yeah all I know is I will be

watching every Connor Griffin at that closely but I'm also someone excited to see Nick York today just

because I know that he's been grinding hard him and playing well and clearly him and Nick Gonzalez are competing

together for a roster spot and so I want to see that hunger in that fight go went into that today

at least until you get to start a second base today yeah they both they both impressed so far I think there's been a

reason article about how Nick York is you know strengthen up he looks bigger he you know he he looks like a

solid solid dude yeah and look I mean I was a trade what two seasons ago at the deadline and you know we

thought oh he'll be right up and you know he never came up and and you know last year I think he had some

injury issues too there it's maybe at the beginning of the season but it never got his footing at major league level

yeah so you know he's supposed to be a guy that can hit we always welcome guys that can hit so yeah and him and like

said again it's competition a camp this year genuine competition for what seems like the first time and

under the chair in an era and they're rising up to it and it's been great to see yeah well next we're

gonna get into talking a little bit about young guys who impresses at camp while also hyping up the

world baseball classic especially of Paul skiing's pitching today but first we're gonna cut to

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all right welcome back now jug a lot of the guys who are playing today are not the unusual

starters like we're not seeing Reynolds we're not seeing Lao we're not seeing O'Zuna it's a lot of

some starters but also guys who were younger and competing for MLB spots so I think it's a

there's probably going to be a very prospect heavy game today and so based off of that like what

who are some guys that you've been you've been here for a week and a half who were some guys that

really impressed you as you've been watching the game so far well it's been great it's all the guys

that we want to all the prospects that we've been hearing about as as Merlin Valdez has looked

really good yeah I'm yesterday the two short stops De Los Santos and Revis both cranked home runs

we have another shortstop you may have heard of Connor Griffin who's at 16 played appearances

and is yet to strike out that's you know in today's baseball that's I mean that's stunning so

yeah I mean Florentino and his his brief appearances has looked good so it's been a lot of fun I

mean the names you know these are the names that we're expecting to come up to Pittsburgh at some

point and do well and and to see them looking good it's so early you know against tougher

competition than they've most likely played in the minors and most of these guys are just

have just gotten out of A and double A that sort of thing so yeah I mean I just you know it's spring

training but the vibes are high and it's like wow the guys that we want to produce at the major

league level they're producing and the guys want to produce at the minor level league are producing

can't ask for too much more no you're completely right like not all the pirates have won a lot now

obviously spring training wins matter absolutely nothing but when you win the vibes are high

right and the pitching has been great like especially from guys you had a lot of question marks

about and yeah the young guys keep coming up and like one guy like you know obviously Connor Griffin

like you know only teenager to have three home runs in spring training I don't even talk about

the home run that you got robbed of because of the wind batting the ball back down like the nature

of Florida um and I would also throw in on the password I think in his limited time he's also

been really really good not only can he play defense at a high level for three positions but I

think a lot of people like myself included had question marks about like the with rates and the bat

whether or not that I can play and so far he really has held his own I just bring training and

I you know I'm hoping that translates to know him getting an MLB job at some point yes you're

maybe not the beginning but like maybe sometime like in July or June like what do we need the

the the the the bodies I mean right there's a very good chance that we're going to need him

you know to get consistent at bats like you know someone might get whatever hat the things that

happen in a regular baseball season and I'm with you I you know a lot of people have said ah he

you know he strikes out too much which again is a pandemic in baseball right yeah everybody strikes

out too much now so it's not quite the harshest criticism that it once was and I've I've

watched his at bats he is good at bats and I've watched a bunch of his at bats and he he does all

the little things right he could steal a bag he's feeling the position well he you know he's throwing

guys out you know again he's done everything he can again how does that how does he fit in with line

up construction and obviously you would think the pirates want him getting consistent at bats yeah

but the password man he's I've learned to spell his name that's how significant you know

significant I think he's going to become this year could you do that on the spot right now J-H-O-S-T-Y-N-X-O-N

Joe Stitson Garcia you know what it would have been funny if I would have said Garcia yeah you

spell it were you spell it right and you get the last all I think it's a good joke there sorry

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you know great training for me is about two things first of all three things first of all this being

here in Florida's enjoying the atmosphere it's been fantastic and the weather I would be so

sad to go back tonight after being in the nice 70 degree weather but also it's about watching

prospects that you care about and watching the pitching and the pitch shapes and like seeing

guys have nasty stuff and so far the pyres have lived up to all of those things this has been a

well the pyres aren't very known for having very pleasant baseball viewing experience but this

brain training has been nothing but pleasant it's night and day difference from last year yeah

we were here last year and you know I Tyler's mentions couple times you felt like you were in a

hospital waiting room everybody was depressed now these guys they're all walking on smiles on

their face I don't know if this matters but a bunch more guys have brought their family down

yeah you know they're there and you know it's just a Donnie Kelly fist bumps us every day

you know before he goes into the stadium I mean it is a good time you can feel that the vibes

are different and that is huge like baseball it's a mental it's a physically a mental game too

when it's much easier to win when the vibes are high and I'm hoping this carries into the regular

season but yeah so really excited really fun time and I'm hoping today's another really good time

now because of course he's the preview games or the exhibition games for the world baseball classic

let's talk a little bit about the world baseball classic itself so first of all you know obviously

we played it at one but we do have a pretty big thing today at three o'clock eastern time

that's Paul Skins he has to pitch for team USA today at three and so when I'm on my way to

airport I'm gonna make sure I tune in what about you Doug yeah well I'm driving you in here for

so I'll definitely tune as well I mean I'm excited look it obviously means a lot to Paul Skins to

pitch for his country yeah right and you know he is taking this very seriously and I expect

Paul Skins to be Paul Skins in this performance and again it's a tune up it's a spring training

but you know he's so proud and it is so so excited to be pitching for his country I expect

everything to be lights out yeah and not that again it's not that like Paul needs the extra motivation

because he's clearly one of the hardest workers in the sport but like you can also tell like

getting these guys into high-elever situations and stuff that matters so like you can we're

gonna write off any spring training performance like a 17-4 who cares a spring training right but

world baseball classic these things matter and the players care and putting themselves into those

intense situations before the season I think we'll translate into like better success one

that ships are down in the regular season it's not just Paul it's all our other guys like

oh new crews and they can Zalas like all the and Spencer Hor which all these other guys you're

gonna be playing in this tournament I did I love the intensity and like putting meaning behind

these games even though they are two notes yeah well right I mean let's face it when was the last

important pirate game right I mean there were none last year uh Padre series 2024 I was gonna say

right you know right after the trade deadline and you know after you know getting being so excited

about the great Brian Delacruz acquisition you know thought we were gonna ride his shoulders

into the world series and then lost 10 spring or something so yes it was it was right that was

the last time we had some important games and we did not answer the bell so right let's get these

guys in situations you know you know you would love to see O'Neal cruise up with two out the

bases loaded you know in an important game and just just to get a sense of of some of that stuff

because I do expect the pirates to have some important games this year and I want to you know

we get any preparation to that anything that can help with that the world-based baseball classic

seems like the perfect thing for that and that's also just a great event I love the world-based

ball classic I love the page entry I love the hype crowds like I think American American

baseball crowd should learn from how the board baseball classic is like it's making games much more

fun um and so I'm excited to watch all of it like whether it's the exhibition games or when the

round robin games are happening on Friday um that's gonna be something that's gonna be really fun

to watch in tandem with all these guys in camp and we want to make it pirate-related it means we

get to see more of the Connor Griffins and the Esmeralins and the uh and the passwords because they

get to be here longer they're not option to minorly camp so it's kind of like a win-win for us

anyway yeah exactly exactly our guys are playing in like significant games but more an

opportunity for the password more opportunity for uh Mangum and uh some of these other guys more

at bats let's see what they have let them again let them compete for their positions and win

their positions rather than well we don't really have anybody else so here you go kid yeah

all right Doug is there anything else you want to talk about no I think we've covered it you know

um I'm looking forward we want to get through again yeah I'm looking forward to the last game

I'm here in Florida but thank you all so much for tuning in this is North Shore 9 sponsored by

FanDuel everyone have a great day and let's go bucks we'll see you guys after all right that wraps

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