North Shore Nine

The Pirates’ spring training is in full swing, and key storylines are emerging. Oneil Cruz continues to impress, with Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham playing key mentorship roles. Cutch sees no ceiling for Cruz, believing he can reach superstar status with the right mindset. Pham, known for his fiery leadership, is holding teammates accountable, something this clubhouse has lacked in recent years.

On the pitching side, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, and Paul Skenes are all turning heads. Keller has seemingly ditched his cutter, while Jones is flashing an improved pitch mix. Meanwhile, bullpen depth is a hot topic, with Ryan Borucki fighting for a roster spot despite a dominant spring.

With key prospects like Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez making strides and the bullpen battles heating up, the Pirates have plenty to be excited about as Opening Day approaches.