Ethan Smith

Luis Ortiz has been impressive, and he may have carved out a role on this team after all

Ethan Smith highlights Luis Ortiz’s resurgence with the Pittsburgh Pirates, excelling in a newfound role and providing reliability amid pitching challenges.

Examining the Pittsburgh Pirates through one month of Paul Skenes career

Pitcher Paul Skenes’ rapid rise from LSU to the MLB has impacted the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team’s performance has improved, thanks to Skenes and newcomer Nick Gonzales, but the bullpen remains a concern. The rotation, led by Skenes, has been a consistent force.

Henry Davis is coming back to the bigs, what has he done and what does it mean?

Henry Davis, a promising baseball talent, makes a comeback to the Pirates after excelling in AAA with improved stats. His return raises hopes for the team, but also raises questions about his long-term performance.

Series Preview: Pirates (26-30) at Blue Jays (26-29)

In the midst of the 2024 MLB season, the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Toronto Blue Jays in a critical series. Both teams are closely matched, poised for intense competition.

Five-Up, Five-Down: May

In May, the Pirates saw both ups and downs. Pitching prospect Paul Skenes made a remarkable MLB debut, while hitters Nick Gonzales and Mitch Keller impressed. However, players like Jack Suwinski and Michael A. Taylor struggled. Martin Perez also faced challenges due to both performance and injury.

Projecting what the Pirates look like in five years

Projections are always interesting, specifically because so many factors come into play on how a Major League Baseball club builds their roster year-in and year-out, from injuries, your record and standing around the trade deadline and everything in between. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, projecting what they look like five years from now, which would beContinue reading “Projecting what the Pirates look like in five years”

The timing on Paul Skenes call-up could not have been more perfect

Paul Skenes, a highly anticipated prospect, will make his MLB debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Chicago Cubs. His arrival is expected to bolster a strong pitching lineup and inject momentum into the team’s performance.

Five-Up, Five Down: April

5-8-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X In a new monthly piece, brought to you by your’s truly, I’ll be taking a look at ten players in the organization, five who are up, playing good baseball and five who are down, playing on the wrong side of those gruesome baseball Gods. With the minor league scheduleContinue reading “Five-Up, Five Down: April”

Is Paul Skenes time in AAA Indianapolis coming to a close?

5-5-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN Since being drafted on July 9, 2023 number one overall, Paul Skenes’ expectations were heightened immediately, seeing as he was, and still is, considered the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg was drafted number one overall in 2009 by the Washington Nationals. Much like Strasburg, the immediate expectationsContinue reading “Is Paul Skenes time in AAA Indianapolis coming to a close?”

Series Preview: Rockies (7-24) at Pirates (14-18)

5-3-24 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN After a west coast road trip that saw the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates drop five of six to the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, the Pirates return home to PNC for their longest home stand so far this season, beginning with the Colorado Rockies. As mentioned, the PiratesContinue reading “Series Preview: Rockies (7-24) at Pirates (14-18)”