Pittsburgh Pirates announce 2026 spring training games in Bradenton, Florida
So take me through, you know, what you’ve been able to do, just making your way through the minors here the last few months. Yeah, it’s, uh, it’s all been so fast, you know, I started in Florida and low ***, made it to high in Greensboro, and then. Uh, just recently got caught up here to Altoona, um, but you know, I’m, I’m, uh, learning something new every day, uh, just trying to grow as *** player, and, uh, we’re in *** playoff run right now, so trying to, you know, play well every day, win games, and go try to win *** playoff. And I know you played *** lot of outfield prior to this, but when did, when and how did this all come about that they wanted to start gearing you more towards shortstop? Was there *** conversation? Did you just show up in the lineup but short, take me through that. Yeah, so I played some shortstop in high school. Uh, and I think they knew that. Uh, so when I got here, uh, during spring training, they’re like, hey, let’s, let’s put you at shortstop. It can only help you get better in center field. Um, and so I’ve played there and then I, I, I just feel like I’ve grown as *** shortstop and, uh, they just keep putting me back out there and, you know, I’ve got to where I play 5 games *** week at short. So, um, you know, I’ve just through experience and stuff I’ve really grown to love it and, uh, you know, that’s what I’m doing now. Take me through how you found out you’re getting caught up here Tatuna. Yeah, so it was, uh, after *** Sunday game in Greensboro, uh, our manager had *** team meeting in the locker room and, uh, he announced that me and another guy, Derrick Berg, were getting called up to, to Altoona and everybody went crazy. It’s such *** fun time when that happens. Did you, was it sooner than you expected? I, I mean, I would say, I would say so. Like I, I didn’t really know what to expect this first year. Um, I wanted to get the high *** as quick as I could and then once I got there and got comfortable, started playing well, I was like, well, maybe, maybe by the end of the year or something, maybe in September I get, you know, *** few weeks in Altoona and. Before I knew it, I got the call, and now I’m here. It’s been *** pretty speedy path, I would imagine you realize that’s not the typical path for *** 19 year old working his way through the minors, but what are your thoughts on kind of how quickly you’ve moved through them? Yeah, uh, I think it’s been *** great year. I’ve learned so much about myself, um, about minor league baseball, everything, and I’m really getting comfortable, uh, especially here at AA. The competition’s really good, so I’m just trying to. Uh, you know, find ways to become *** better player every day, and, you know, I’ve had that mindset the whole year. So, uh, it’s been, been *** fun year. Do you anticipate moving to Indianapolis before the season’s over? I, I, I’m just gonna be where my feet are, you know, if that happens, that, you know, that’s great, but, uh, you know, I’m, I’m really just trying to get comfortable here in AA and, uh, continue to grow. Yeah, those are some good, uh, good roots you got there, keeping your feet where they’re at. Uh, and I know it’s probably infiltrated your mind *** little bit, but do you let your mind kind of wander to when you might get caught up to the big club? Um, you know, it’s probably something I think about every day. Uh, just making my debut, I think is ***, you know, *** dream for every player. Um, so I, I think about it quite often and it’s kind of hard not to when you’re 2 hours from Pittsburgh. So, uh, you know, they’re right around the corner, but. You know, I, I know it’s gonna happen when, you know, I’m supposed to be there and I’m just gonna continue to be in the minor leagues. I know I still got *** long way to go. I got *** lot to work on, so that’s what I keep doing. I’m gonna go back to your Greensboro. 3, they’re not that long ago. 3 stolen bases in 5 games. I know that’s just, that’s ***, that’s *** crazy stat there. What led to your success in that specific aspect of your game? Yeah, just being aggressive. I, I like to use my athleticism and try to steal bases, get to second base, because if I’m at 2, you know, I can try to score on *** hit. So, uh, that’s just what I, what I try to do. I try to be aggressive and, uh, you know, I’ve, I’ve, I’ve found that when I do that, our team’s having success and so I try to continue to do as much as I could. You got the invite to spring training. What was that experience like for you? Yeah, that was, that was awesome to be with all the big leaguers. Just I tried to be *** sponge and soak up all the knowledge, um, you know, just *** lot of experience and. I feel like that helped me really prepare for my first year of Pro Bowl. Are there any pirates you’ve been getting to know through your course, um, through the minor leagues and maybe at spring training that you kind of try to emulate or, you know, really watch what they’re doing? Yeah, I mean, there were all the guys were great, you know, they all pitched in, gave me some knowledge, um, you know, it’s just cool to watch how skenes is just such *** competitor out there, um, you know, you have Andrew McCutchen who’s played for years and Um, they, you know, kind of pick his brain on his ABs and things like that. That was, that was pretty cool. How often are you in touch with any of those guys? Yeah, they, they’ll check in every now and then. Um, Henry Davis is one that, that’ll check in, you know, more recently, just, uh, uh, because, you know, we’re not too far apart. Um, he’s, he’s *** few years older than me, but he, uh, he’s been through the same situation and Uh, you know, he’s giving me pieces of advice as I move up through the minor leagues. If you could pinpoint one solid piece of advice you’ve gotten over the last, you know, year or so, what comes to mind? I’ll just say, uh, you know, as you move levels, um, the game doesn’t change. Uh, same game, same baseball, so, uh, just, you know, continue to be yourself, do what you do, um, show up early, get your work in, and, you know, everything will work out like it should. I know the season’s uh slowly, quickly, I guess coming to an end here, but do you have any goals kind of for the rest of this year, this season? Yeah, uh, I know we got like 2 weeks left. Uh, I want to make sure I give my all the, the, the last 2 weeks. I know that’s when, you know, *** lot, *** lot of guys could, you know, tap out, uh, you know, they see the offseason coming, just kind of be complacent. So I’m, I’m trying to stay away from that, continue to, uh, finish out strong and then try to go win *** playoff championship. It’s wild to me to think you were playing high school ball just, you know, less than 2 years ago. If it was then, maybe before then, but when do you think it occurred to you for the first time, hey, I might be able to make *** career out of this that I love. Yeah, I think when I was 12 or 13, I, I, I started getting some college offers, so I was like, OK, this might be *** real, *** real deal. So, uh, you know, I just, it, it persuaded me to keep on working hard and, uh, I ended up getting drafted out of high school skipping college. So, you know, it it really came quick and, you know, I’m glad, uh, glad it happened the way it did. And I know it’s probably been *** whirlwind of *** few weeks for you getting caught up two promotions, I think in just over 2 months. I know *** lot of media has been here the last couple of weeks. Do you like that? Do you like all the kids asking for autographs, all the hoopla, all the attention, or do you kind of wish it was *** little bit more just about, about the baseball? Yeah, I, I understand it’s, it’s definitely part of, you know, um, being *** prospect and, you know, making your debut at different places, um, but if you, if you get to know me like I’m really just kind of *** chill guy. I like to, you know. You know, stay away from *** lot of that, but, uh, I love giving autographs to kids. I get, get to share my story online and so it’s, it’s all *** blessing. You’re taking it in stride and you’re doing *** great job. Thank you. I appreciate it. Uh, and finally, just 11 question to wrap up here. I was asking you about. the town, you tried the pizza, thanks so much for joining us. We appreciate it. Congratulations on your way. Thank you. I appreciate it.
Pittsburgh Pirates announce 2026 spring training games in Bradenton, Florida
Updated: 6:00 PM EST Nov 5, 2025
If you can’t wait until baseball season, here’s some good news. The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced their spring training schedule.The Pirates will play 16 spring training games at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, from Feb. 22 through March 23.Video above: Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin is rising fast through the minor leaguesThe ballpark will also host Pittsburgh’s Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers, featuring top prospects from both clubs, on March 20.Click here for the full list of Pirates spring training games. Tickets go on sale Jan. 9.
BRADENTON, Fla. —
If you can’t wait until baseball season, here’s some good news. The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced their spring training schedule.
The Pirates will play 16 spring training games at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, from Feb. 22 through March 23.
Video above: Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin is rising fast through the minor leagues
The ballpark will also host Pittsburgh’s Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers, featuring top prospects from both clubs, on March 20.
Click here for the full list of Pirates spring training games. Tickets go on sale Jan. 9.