The NS9 Report is the start to your week. Posted bright and early every Monday morning, I’ll break down the three most important things each week in Pirates land.
The Boys are Back in Town
The Pirates aren’t the only ones in for camp. The NS9 crew are in Bradenton for the next two weeks and what that means is you’ll see plenty of live content, pregame shows, postgame shows, wrap-ups from the day, Pirate City, LECOM Park, “NS9 in the wild” content and more.
This week it’ll mostly be Jim, Tyler, Cody and Doug and next week I’ll be down there with DiNardo, Neil, Doug and Nathan. Look, I love spring training and even more so being there to get your first baseball action and glimpse of the team, hearing the sounds of baseball in a much more intimate setting and leaving the winter behind in Western PA for some of that Florida sunshine isn’t too shabby either. I can’t wait to get into Bradenton for a couple days next week.
The boys kicked things off today at the LECOM Park opening game against the Rays Sunday as DiNardo, Jim and Tyler welcomed on Pirates historian Jim Trdinich prior to the game:
And then Tyler and Doug recapped their first game and day in Bradenton, Jim’s joined by prospect Duce Gourson plus Don Kelly‘s post-game presser is all here:
Konnor Griffin Game Action
Phenom prospect Konnor Griffin is the story of camp this year, is he not? Yes, there’s been an incredible amount of hype game from the Pirates, the fan base and even FanGraphs and so far the kid has been backing it up. With games getting started Saturday against the Orioles, I’m most looking forward to seeing what Griffin does in game action this spring as he battles to make the Opening Day roster out of camp. He started his first spring game Sunday against the Phillies and had two loud outs and then an infield single that he was called on a terrible call by the first base umpire, but would have been overturned had it been in season. He needs to make a big impression if he’s going to force the Pirates hand and make this team out of camp at the age of 19. There’s a lot of players to watch this spring as this team actually has some buzz around them, but Griffin has to be number one for me. I can’t wait to see how he does in games this week.
Let the Games Begin
The games are underway and the Pirates are 3-0 in Grapefruit League play. Break up those Bucs! Besides Griffin, there are some other underlying players that I’m looking forward to seeing, ones that aren’t locks to make the team but could play a role depending on their performance in spring. Let’s quickly take a look at some of those players now:
Chris Devenski is one that I’m intrigued to see if he has anything left. The reliever was signed to a minor league deal and was a non-roster invitee to camp. Devenski tossed an inning on Sunday against the Rays in his first action and gave up two runs in three hits. If he shows the team something this spring, I think he could make the team and be a crucial part of the bullpen this season. Devenski did perform in limited time last season with the Mets, posting a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 innings, but he turned 35 in November, and I’m not sure what’s left there. Stay tuned on that one as we find out over the next month.
Mike Clevinger is another one that was signed to a minor league deal and just turned 35 this offseason. He hasn’t thrown more than 16 innings in the past two seasons due to injuries. I have no idea what’s left there, but if Clevinger or Devenski are healthy and have a good spring, they can definitely factor into this team’s plan this season.
Esmerlyn Valdez looks like he picked up right where he left at the end of last season and the Arizona Fall League. Valdez didn’t waste any time creating some waves in Pirates camp as he blasted a grand slam in Clearwater against the Phillies Sunday. He finished 2-for-2 with the 4 RBIs. Remember, Valdez hit eight home runs in just 19 games in the AFL while hitting a stupid .368. Now, he’s not making the team out of camp but if he continues to rake like this into the season, seeing Valdez on the Pirates in 2026 is not out of the realm of possibility.
And don’t forget about the Password—Jhostynxon Garcia. He started off hot on Sunday as well with a 2-for-3 game on two singles. He’s another one that I don’t think we’ll make the team out of camp but bank on seeing him at some point this season in PNC Park.
It’s hard not to be a little excited about this team right now. As a Pirates fan, I’m always cautious but so far, it’s been a great start to spring. The team has some buzz around them that we haven’t seen in about a decade and we can’t wait to bring you all the content from Bradenton.
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