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Ben's Biz hits the road for the final time this year

Here's what is coming soon to a ballpark (that might be) near you
@BensBiz
September 8, 2023

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.

Pirates end Skenes' season on a high note

MLB's No. 3 prospect goes on Development List after five starts
September 5, 2023

Paul Skenes' pro debut has come to a close. The Pirates announced on Tuesday that Skenes was placed on the Development List and won’t pitch again this season. The main objective was for the No. 1 pick in this year’s Draft to get his feet wet and get an early

Skenes comes up aces in second Double-A start

Baseball's top pitching prospect strikes out three over two innings
@allisonmast13
September 1, 2023

Just like he made the adjustment to superior competition when transferring from mid-major Air Force to LSU, Paul Skenes appears to be doing the same at Double-A. In his second start since his promotion from Single-A, MLB’s No. 3 prospect threw two innings for Altoona, allowing only one hit while

Skenes packs 'em in during Double-A debut

MLB's No. 3 prospect draws record crowd for first Altoona start
August 27, 2023

ALTOONA, Pa. -- John “Smooth” Wilson has been a team assistant with Altoona for roughly a decade and a half. He’s likely seen more Curve baseball than anyone in attendance at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday night. As fans formed a line on Park Avenue three hours prior to

Pirates promote Skenes to Double-A Altoona

No. 1 overall Draft pick scoreless through four pro innings
August 21, 2023

PITTSBURGH -- One month into his professional career, Paul Skenes is already halfway to Pittsburgh. The Pirates announced on Monday that Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has been promoted from Low-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona and is expected to start against the Akron RubberDucks on

New level, same Skenes: Top pick dazzles in debut

Top Pirates prospect strikes out two in one frame for Marauders
August 15, 2023

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Hundreds of eyes and dozens of cell phone cameras were locked in on Paul Skenes more than an hour before he made his Single-A debut Tuesday night. The crowd lined the wooden boardwalk above the right-field bullpen at LECOM Park to get a glimpse of the No.

Skenes delivers impressive showcase in pro debut

No. 1 overall pick flashes dominance in first inning with FCL Pirates
August 10, 2023

Right-hander Paul Skenes made his first appearance since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, retiring all three batters he faced for the Rookie-level Florida Coast League Pirates on Thursday.

Top pick Skenes to debut with FCL Pirates

Pirates prospect could be limited after throwing 122 2/3 innings with LSU
July 26, 2023

Paul Skenes, the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is expected to begin his professional career with the FCL Pirates this summer. According to MLB.com's Justice delos Santos, Skenes' "career will begin with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Pirates" after signing for $9.2 million on July 18. “He's been

Draft Picks: Tally an Outfield Assist at Victory Field

Indianapolis Indians, Sun King Brewery partner for signature lager
@brendan_samson
July 25, 2023

This is the sixth in a series of MiLB.com Draft Picks articles about clubs crafting unique and interesting beers for their respective fan bases. Already profiled: Gwinnett's 6-4-3 Pilsner, Spokane's Redband Tangerine Wheat Beer, Fayetteville's Birdy Brew, Kannapolis' Baller Beer and Omaha's Ale Storm.

Forever 21: Curve retire Clemente's number

Iconic Pirate's legacy honored by Altoona with family in attendance
@memheller
July 21, 2023

The Altoona Curve -- the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate -- retired the number of one of Pittsburgh’s all-time greats: Roberto Clemente. The retirement ceremony took place ahead of Friday’s game against Reading. Altoona’s defeat to the Reading Fightin Phils, 4-1, barely put a damper on the day’s festivities. The Curve conducted

Marauders' Johnson continues homer barrage

Top Pirates prospect stays hot, leaves early with cramping in calf
@brendan_samson
July 16, 2023

Across the country, people are cranking their air conditioners to combat the record-high temperatures. The obvious explanation is that the dog days of summer are approaching, but another very possible culprit is Termarr Johnson, who is so scorching hot, he may be heating the entire nation.

Team-first Johnson mashes Marauders to victory

Top Bucs prospect racks up four hits, two homers at Single-A
@Steph_Sheehan
July 14, 2023

Termarr Johnson came out swinging on the other side of the All-Star break. Before Friday, the top Pirates prospect had one four-hit effort, one multihomer game and one four-RBI performance to his name, all accomplished in different games. Now, the 19-year-old has two of each, and he achieved all three

The best of the Pirates' Minor League ballparks

From Single-A Marauders to Triple-A Indy, affiliates bring the fun
@JesseABorek
July 12, 2023

The Minor League Ballpark Guides series presented by Wyndham brings all the most fun features of Minors ballparks across America (and one in Canada!) onto your desktop, tablet or mobile device, whether you're interested in taking a virtual tour from where you sit or planning a trip to catch some

Priester revs his engine, whiffs season high for Indy

No. 4 Pirates prospect finds form at Triple-A alongside batterymate
@EvanKDesai
June 25, 2023

Quinn Priester proved to have a short memory on Saturday for Triple-A Indianapolis. Entering the contest with a 5.84 ERA and .283 opponents' average against during his previous five starts, the Pirates' No. 4 prospect returned to the pitcher he was earlier in his 2023 campaign. Going six scoreless innings,

Termarr becoming a real terror at the plate

Pirates' top prospect posts first multihomer game of young career
June 20, 2023

Termarr Johnson seems to be wise beyond his years. He just turned 19 on June 11, but MLB Pipeline's No. 19 overall prospect has a clear-cut focus on plate discipline and the results are showing up in the box score ... and over fences. Johnson launched two homers in a

Altoona's trash could be a lucky fan's treasure

Curve's Redd Up Night offers some ... uh, interesting giveaways
@brendan_samson
June 20, 2023

When fans attend a ballgame, there’s not much better than catching a foul ball in the stands. For whoever grabs it, that ball becomes a cherished souvenir. But what if you attended a game and went home with a 55-gallon trash can used two seasons ago, would that become a

Meet the 2023 Road to The Show Ambassadors

D-backs' Lawlar, Pirates' Johnson, Rockies' Veen, Yanks' Domínguez
@Gerard_Gilberto
June 13, 2023

The Nationwide Road to the Show™ Ambassadors series, which provides fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at four of the best prospects in Minor League Baseball, returns for a third season in 2023.

Johnson celebrates 19th birthday in style

Top-ranked Bucs prospect dazzles on both sides of the diamond
@brendan_samson
June 11, 2023

What's the best way to celebrate your birthday? If you're a professional baseball player, going bridge is a good way to start. That's precisely what Termarr Johnson did on Sunday, slugging a three-run shot in Single-A Bradenton’s 9-8 extra-inning loss to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Youngest of 4 boys, Johnson molded by his family

No. 1 Bucs prospect uses his brother's 'Twin Time' as walk-up song
June 9, 2023

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates’ theme when they won the 1979 World Series was ‘We are Family.’ It looks like 2022 first-round pick Termarr Johnson would fit right in. The youngest of four brothers, Johnson brings his older brother to the plate with him every at-bat played at home

The Road to The Show™: Who’s up next?

Reds' De La Cruz, Mets' Mauricio knocking on door to Majors
@Gerard_Gilberto
May 30, 2023

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. For top prospects throughout the Minors, two months of play can go a long way toward revealing which

Clippers and Indians set to salute Negro Leagues

Columbus, Indianapolis will take the field as the Blue Birds, ABCs
@RobTnova24
May 28, 2023

When Columbus and Indianapolis take the field at Huntington Park on Sunday, it won't be as the Clippers and the Indians. Instead, the clubs will pay homage to the Negro Leagues as they kick off the Negro Leagues Summer Series as the Blue Birds and the ABCs. As part of

Are yinz seein' this? Curve's Davis slugs 2 HRs

Catcher goes yard off righty and lefty in first multihomer game
@Steph_Sheehan
April 23, 2023

While there’s plenty of excitement surrounding the Pirates’ hot start, there’s even more to look forward to down on the farm, from the exciting crop of prospects to the jerseys they wear. Just ask Henry Davis, who collected his first career multihomer game and accounted for three RBIs on Double-A

After over 1K Minors games, Maggi up to The Show

Pirates add 2010 15th-round Draft pick to Major League roster
April 23, 2023

The Major Leaguer who has yet to play in a big league game is one step closer to finally fulfilling his dream. The Pirates selected the contract of Drew Maggi from Double-A Altoona on Sunday. Some notes about the 33-year-old, per the club: • His first appearance will be his

The Road to The Show™: Pirates’ Rodriguez

No. 55 prospect finds place among Minors’ premier backstops
@Gerard_Gilberto
March 21, 2023

Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at second-ranked Pirates prospect Endy Rodriguez. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. Few prospects have wildly outperformed modest expectations like Endy

The Show Before the Show: Episode 393

Pirates' Massey, Fresno's Bravo call into Minor League podcast
February 10, 2023

Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Stitcher and other