North Shore Nine: A Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast

Pirates Rookies Are Stepping Up at the Perfect Time

Esmerlyn Valdez and Tyler Callihan are giving the Pirates exactly what they need while Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz are sidelined. Alex Stumpf breaks down the power both young hitters have shown, what stands out about their swings and why Pittsburgh’s depth finally looks different from a year ago. Ryan O’Hearn’s two-homer performance helped the Pirates avoid a sweep, but the bigger long-term question is whether Valdez and Callihan can turn this opportunity into permanent roles. With Horwitz and Cruz expected back in July, the next few weeks could reshape the Pirates’ outfield and bench. Chapters: 00:00 The rookie production Pittsburgh lacked in 2025 01:09 Valdez, Callihan and O’Hearn power the Pirates 03:25 What stands out about Callihan’s swing 05:13 Why Valdez’s early power is encouraging 09:40 Injuries create a major opportunity Read Alex Stumpf’s Book Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates Hit Four Homers, Beat Reds 9-4 to Return to .500

The Pirates blew an early four-run lead, failed to score during three separate bases-loaded opportunities and still walked away with a 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Esmerlyn Valdez homered for the third consecutive game, Tyler Callihan launched a three-run shot and Ryan O’Hearn went deep twice. The sixth, seventh and eighth hitters in the lineup combined to drive in all nine Pirates runs. Neil and Doug discuss the young hitters carrying Pittsburgh’s offense, another uneven Mitch Keller start, Carmen Mlodzinski’s usage out of the bullpen and whether Don Kelly should have pinch-hit for Henry Davis with the bases loaded. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

PATHETIC! Pirates Bullpen Blows Another One in 9-7 Loss To Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates were one strike away from turning an entertaining, back-and-forth game into one of their best wins of the season. Instead, Gregory Soto allowed a three-run homer in the ninth inning, wasting Esmerlyn Valdez’s go-ahead pinch-hit homer and sending the Pirates to a brutal 9-7 loss against the Cincinnati Reds. Jim and Doug break down another failure from the Pirates bullpen, the defensive mistakes that hurt Jared Jones, Brandon Lowe’s 20th home run, Endy Rodriguez’s continued impact and the baffling way the team has handled Carmen Mlodzinski. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reinold Navarro Scouting Report | Pirates Prospect Breakdown

Pirates pitching prospect Reinold Navarro possesses one of the most electric fastballs in the organization, and it may be one of the best pitches in all of Minor League Baseball. Jim and Anthony Murphy break down what makes the 19-year-old left-hander’s fastball so difficult to hit, the development of his slider and changeup, and the extreme strikeout numbers he has produced with Bradenton. There is also one major concern. Navarro is still walking nearly one batter per inning. Can he improve his command enough to remain a starter, or is his future as a potentially dominant late-inning reliever? In this episode: • Why Navarro’s fastball grades as a potentially elite pitch • How his changeup has developed against right-handed hitters • The command issues holding him back • Why his upside remains impossible to ignore • Whether Navarro could eventually become an elite closer Subscribe to the Bucs On Deck Substack for daily coverage of the Pirates’ farm system: https://bucsondeck.substack.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates Drop Eighth Straight Paul Skenes Start In 6-4 Loss To Reds

The Pirates fell back to .500 after another winnable Paul Skenes start slipped away in a 6-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Jim and Tyler break down Skenes’ concerning recent stretch, Konnor Griffin homering in his return from the injured list, big swings from Marcell Ozuna and Esmerlyn Valdez and another bullpen failure that leaves Pittsburgh at 41-41. Download our app! : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000 : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show! NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com ►Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine ►Website: https://www.northshorenine.com ►Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine ►Discord: https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m #pittsburghpirates Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.