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Pirates end-of-season report card: A year filled with on-field regression

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 11d

My end of season Pirates report card for 2025:

When Derek Shelton met with his club before the start of spring training, he made the standard for this year’s Pirates crystal clear. “I don’t...

Noah Hiles: Pirates' talk is cheap. It’s time for action

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 13d

I was given the opportunity to write some thoughts on today’s news. Here is what I had to say about the first day of the Pirates 2025-2026 off season:

Pirates owner Bob Nutting wasn’t in attendance at PNC Park on Monday afternoon when his club officially announced that Don Kelly had been extended...

The 2025 Pirates never had a chance, and the players knew it

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 14d

“We laugh at all of this [expletive] behind closed doors. ... It’s just a bad organization.”

The Pirates' 2025 season was frustrating for many, including those on the team. A few players explained why they believe things went wrong. Our exclusive story:

Pirates players allowed their heads to sink low in disgust after heading back into the visitor’s clubhouse on opening day at loanDepot Park. The...

Bucco Bricks, Surfside ads and many, many more losses: A timeline of the Pirates' 2025 season of disaster

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 15d

“Another year of the same nonsense.”

I might need an extra session with my therapist after writing this. Nonetheless, here is our recap of the Pirates 2025 season.

The tone was set in early October. Canyon and Carter Swartz, twin brothers from Carmichaels, rode the T into Downtown and made their way to City Hall....

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 17d

You’re quite literally the only person who consistently replies to me on this platform, Kenneth. I respect your hustle.

Noah Hiles: Superlatives for the Pirates' 2025 season

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 17d

Rather than a mailbag, I spent some time this week listing my superlatives for the Pirates' 2025 season. You can check them out here:

Another season of Major League Baseball will soon be in the books. The Pirates’ 2025 campaign was filled with many interesting stories, all leading...

Pirates farm report: Ranking the organization’s top 5 performers this MiLB season

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 20d

The MiLB regular season is officially over. Here are the five Pirates prospects who I believe made the most of their 2025 campaigns:

While things didn’t go according to plan at the major league level this season, the Pirates farm system had an overall solid 2025 campaign. After...

Off The Bat: When Paul Skenes speaks, the entire Pirates organization should listen

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 22d

“It's going to take a lot of guys taking a look in the mirror."

Paul Skenes had a lot to say yesterday. Fans should hope the entire organization took his words to heart. Read more on this in my final “Off the Bat” column of the season:

Throughout their long history as a franchise, the Pirates have rarely ever been able to say they possessed the best pitcher in baseball. They do now. It’s...

A deeper look inside the relationship between Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney and Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 24d

Bubba Chandler committed to play football for Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers five years ago, but chose pro baseball instead. The two still remain close. My story on their unique relationship:

As Bubba Chandler returned to the visitors clubhouse in Omaha, Neb., prior to his club’s game in late April, he received a FaceTime call from a...

Curve’s Game 1 win continues fun season in Altoona

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 26d

“We’re trying to win on the North Shore. That’s the ultimate goal. But that starts with winning here.”

My story from a fun night in Altoona:

ALTOONA, Pa. — Eileen Snyder has been heavily invested in Altoona Curve baseball since the club formed in 1999. Every game is special to her, but...

Pirates promote Rafael Flores, acquired in David Bednar trade. What does the move mean?

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 26d

Rafael Flores, the Pirates No. 8 prospect, is a major leaguer. Our notes and analysis on the move:

The Pirates have selected the contract of catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores from Triple-A Indianapolis, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. Infielder...

Off The Bat: Derek Berg’s ‘big brother’ mentorship serves as key factor in Konnor Griffin’s breakout season

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · 28d

Plenty of people have played a role in Konnor Griffin’s 2025 breakout campaign. One of them is Derek Berg, a 10th round pick who became Griffin's "big brother" in his first year away from home. My story on their unique relationship, here:

ERIE, Pa. — Plenty of people have played a role in Konnor Griffin’s 2025 breakout campaign. One of the more underappreciated contributors can...

Pirates mailbag: What should we expect from Oneil Cruz next season?

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Sep 11

What will the future look like for Oneil Cruz? Is Ben Cherington still on the hot seat? I discuss that and more in this week’s mailbag:

Welcome to the Pirates mailbag, where Post-Gazette reporter Noah Hiles answers all of your questions about the ball club. If you have a question, find...

Off The Bat: Pirates players hope to see Don Kelly back as manager

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Sep 6

“If anybody was asking me, he’s got my vote, for sure.”

This week, I spoke with a handful of Pirates players about manager Don Kelly. Their thoughts were overwhelmingly similar. Read why they believe he’s the right man going forward, here:

Even after a loss, Nick Gonzales can still recognize the progress developing around him. He, similar to many teammates, remembers what the clubhouse was...

Pirates report card: Despite trade deadline drama, Don Kelly keeps team on track

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Sep 2

Another month of baseball is in the books. Check out my Pirates report card for August, here:

BOSTON — The Pirates began August in disastrous fashion. A day after the 2025 trade deadline debacle concluded, Don Kelly’s club blew a nine-run...

Sources: Pirates place infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa on outright waivers

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 29

Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been placed on outright waivers. He is 81 plate appearances shy of a $250K bonus. He is still on the Pirates' roster and can be for the remainder of the season, if not acquired by the end of the weekend. More details here:

BOSTON — The Pirates have placed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa on outright waivers, sources informed the Post-Gazette Friday afternoon. The move comes...

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 29

11 years ago, Konnor Griffin was in a serious accident that nearly cost him his eye. He’s now baseball’s No. 1 prospect and the Pirates’ shortstop of the future.

Last week, I went to Mississippi to learn his story. Read about his journey here:

🔗: www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirat...

Pirates mailbag: Could Konnor Griffin be the Pirates' opening day shortstop in 2026?

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 28

Could Konnor Griffin make the big-league club out of camp next year? I discussed that and more in this week’s mailbag. Read it all here:

Welcome to the Pirates mailbag, where Post-Gazette reporter Noah Hiles answers all of your questions about the ball club. If you have a question, find...

Off The Bat: 10 potential candidates for the Pirates' next Hall of Fame class

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 23

The Pirates added three new members to their team Hall of Fame yesterday. Who will be next? I make a case for 10 different candidates in this week’s “Off the Bat”:

This weekend, Kiki Cuyler, Al Oliver and Vernon Law became the three newest members of the Pittsburgh Pirates team Hall of Fame. Each member of this year’s...

Becoming Bubba Chandler: A look into top prospect’s road to the big leagues

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 21

He grew up playing on a ball field his father built in their back yard. His competitive edge was created by a pair of older sisters that loved "beating his ass." That and more led to the creation of Bubba Chandler.

My story on Pittsburgh's new arm:

The journey began 18 years ago in Warner Robins, Ga. Reuben and Bobbie Chandler drove three hours south to watch their son, Roy, participate in a travel...

BREAKING NEWS: Pirates FINALLY call up Bubba Chandler ... but as a reliever?

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 20

Bubba Chandler will join the Pirates Friday, in Pittsburgh. My analysis on Chandler’s long awaited promotion:

YouTube video by Post-Gazette - Pirates

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Was Pirates’ Ben Cherington smart to demote Andrew Heaney? Or just bring cheap?

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 18

Did Andrew Heaney deserve a demotion to the bullpen? Or was it another case of the Pirates being cheap? I discussed the situation on our YouTube channel. Check out my thoughts here:

YouTube video by Post-Gazette - Pirates

www.youtube.com

'None of it feels real': Dan Zangrilli gets to live his dream as Pirates' play-by-play announcer

Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 18

“You don’t top this.”

This past weekend, @DanZangrilli checked off a bucket list item, getting to call a Pirates game from Wrigley Field. My story on his journey from Brookline to the big-leagues:

Pirates promote Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in baseball, to Double-A Altoona.

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Noah Hiles @noahhiles.bsky.social · Aug 17

Konnor Griffin is heading to Double-A Altoona. My analysis on the game's top prospect taking his next step to the major leagues:

YouTube video by Post-Gazette - Pirates

www.youtube.com