Just like every year, right on cue, the Pittsburgh Pirates officially started their spring training workouts in the middle of February. However, this isn't just any other season or just another start to training camp.
For the first time in a long time, it truly feels like the Pirates are entering the season with renewed confidence that this team can contend for a playoff spot come October.
Pittsburgh added a group of proven players to its lineup, complemented by one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.
Newcomers Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna will provide some much-needed pop to the lineup, while Paul Skenes holds down the pitching staff.
There's an energy around this team, both from the outside and within the clubhouse, that the Pirates have the talent to be a legit postseason contender this year. It's an energy that the skipper said you can feel this early on in the spring.
"Energy was high, guys got after it, and some really good work out there. You know, pitching side and hitting side," said manager Don Kelly after Monday's workout.
"Seeing the whole team together was, it's extremely exciting. The moves we were able to make in the offseason, setting the team up, the way that Bob, Ben, Travis, the front office, had been able to add to the group that we have here you just see, you can feel the excitement."
For the team to feel this confidence and energy early on in spring training tells a lot about the group the front office has put together.
It isn't just the team that feels the excitement, though. The Pirates had a noticeably strong fan presence in Florida, and even the team's skipper took notice.
"Honestly, I don't remember a time when there were that many fans here, excited and watching spring training like that. That was really cool," continued Kelly.
Obviously, the Pirates still have a long way to go to reach their goals of getting back to the postseason in 2026. However, it's still nice that the narrative around the Pirates has seemingly shifted, and the team can feel it.
Pirates Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Pirates. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.