Four Burning Questions Pirates Face As 2025 Spring Training Kicks Off

The Pirates kick off spring training this week and face an interesting season.

Paul Skenes broke out and offered life to Pittsburgh’s prospects. The 2024 National League Rookie of the Year quickly became the face of the franchise that looks to finish better than back-to-back 76-86 seasons. The preparation for that begins in spring training, and they’ll have these four burning questions to answer.

How does the pitching staff look?
Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller make for a great 1-2-3 punch, but who else makes the rotation? Johan Oviedo returns after Tommy John surgery, so it will be interesting to see how the 26-year-old looks. The franchise’s No. 1 prospect Bubba Chandler was invited to spring training and will get his chance to crack the rotation. There will be high expectations after Skenes’ and Jones’ breakouts, but the No. 15 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, has the talent to make an impact. There still are questions around the bullpen, but if the starting rotation can be among the best in baseball, that won’t be too much of a worry.

Who fills in for Spencer Horwitz?
Pittsburgh announced Wednesday its new addition underwent wrist surgery and will be out for approximately six to eight weeks. Horwitz has a chance to start Opening Day, but the Pirates will need to figure out a temporary fill-in in the meantime. The Pirates acquired Horwitz this offseason to help fill a hole at first base and provide more offense to the lineup. Whoever fills in for the 27-year-old will need to fill that responsibility as best as they can until Horwitz can return.

How do the new faces fit in?
Speaking of an offensive boost, that’s what offseason signings Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier should provide. Pittsburgh ranked 25th in home runs, 26th in OBP and 27th in OPS last season. If the returning players provide average production, and the new additions provide a new lift, that will go a long way in helping out the rotation with run support. How Pham and Frazier fit into the picture will be something to keep an eye on during spring training.

Which prospect can make the Opening Day roster?
Pitcher Thomas Harrington and infielders Konnor Griffin and Termarr Johnson were the other non-roster invitees along with Chandler. Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, infielders Nick Yorke and Tsung-Che Cheng and outfielder Billy Cook are all on the 40-man roster and were invited to major league camp. It’s a big opportunity for these prospects to show what they have and try to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Pittsburgh has a lot of intriguing young players and these prospects can join that list with a strong showing at spring training.