Spring training in Bradenton usually arrives with modest expectations, but this year the spotlight is impossible to ignore. The Pittsburgh Pirates have baseball’s most intriguing young storyline unfolding in their camp, where 19-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin is already drawing crowds before he’s even played a major-league game. Overseeing the excitement is new manager Don Kelly, beginning his first full season at the helm. Meanwhile, reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes continues to look every bit the ace he became last season—blowing away hitters while quietly wondering whether Pittsburgh’s front office might finally spend enough to turn his dominance into a contender. Around the back fields, hope and skepticism mingle in equal measure, because in Pirates camp the talent is obvious… but the budget still isn’t.
*** Now chatting in #PiratesPreseason ***
DonnieKellyBaby: alright fellas gather up
new season
fresh start
let’s play some gosh darn baseball
*** ShirtsNSkenes has entered the chat ***
ShirtsNSkenes: skip i just struck out the side in a live BP session
two of them apologized
DonnieKellyBaby: that’s outstanding
outstanding and wholesome
*** HouseOfGriffin has entered the chat ***
HouseOfGriffin: hi guys
i’m 19
they told me i’m the #1 prospect
please do not throw 101 at my ribs
ShirtsNSkenes: don’t worry kid
i only throw it past bats
*** CruzMissile has entered the chat ***
CruzMissile: welcome to pirates baseball kid
step one: hit bombs
step two: learn to answer questions about “the rebuild”
HouseOfGriffin: what rebuild
*** ReynoldsWrap has entered the chat ***
ReynoldsWrap: real question though
we got the cy young winner
the top prospect
a manager who won’t say the word “hell”
are we… spending money this year
ShirtsNSkenes: yeah
about that
i’ve been wondering the same thing
*** Nutting2Spend has entered the chat ***
Nutting2Spend: hello team
exciting times in pittsburgh
we are committed to sustainable competitiveness
CruzMissile: uh oh
corporate phrases detected
ReynoldsWrap: that means “no”
ShirtsNSkenes: just checking
because i can strike out 250 guys again
but i can’t pitch and also bat cleanup
DonnieKellyBaby: let’s keep things positive
gosh dang it
we have talent
we have grit
we have—
Nutting2Spend: fiscal discipline
DonnieKellyBaby: that’s not the word i was gonna use
*** pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth has entered the chat ***
pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth: wait wait wait
you’ve got a cy young ace and the best prospect in baseball
and the plan is still “hope and vibes”
ShirtsNSkenes: vibes have good spin rate though
*** WORDUPTHOME has entered the chat ***
WORDUPTHOME: HEY GUYS THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
I LOVE WHAT I’M SEEING HERE
YOUTH
TALENT
HOPE
AND A MANAGER WHO REFUSES TO SWEAR
OLD JIMBO CALLS THAT A WHOLESOME FOUNDATION
DonnieKellyBaby: thank you jim
see fellas that’s the spirit
pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth: jim they’re still cheap
WORDUPTHOME: WELL
FAITH IS FREE, SPORT
*** MLB_NewsBot has entered the chat ***
MLB_NewsBot: SPRING TRAINING UPDATE:
Paul Skenes looks dominant in early workouts
Top prospect Konnor Griffin impressing coaches
Pirates ownership confirms payroll remains “responsibly modest”
ShirtsNSkenes: responsibly modest
that’s the nicest way anyone’s ever said “cheap”
*** HouseOfGriffin has left to hit 400-foot BP homers ***
*** DonnieKellyBaby has left to politely yell encouragement ***
*** WORDUPTHOME has left to preach hope to the dugout ***
*** pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth has left to scream at a payroll spreadsheet ***
