Pittsburgh Pirates Caffeine: Videos and Pics from Spring Training

Yesterday was perhaps the most uneventful day of training we have ever observed. The pitchers worked on comebackers. Bunt drills were everywhere. Cutoffs. About the only surprise was the sight of Buster Olney.

So we will put together for you as much content as we can before something bad happens with the site again. We’ve been having difficulties as we do some upgrades, thank you for being patient with us.

Starling Marte has looked very impressive in camp. The video below is Marte working on baserunning as Clint Hurdle cheers him on.

Marte in the cage is a very enjoyable site for Pirates fans. He rips several of these pitches to the fence, and the rest he drives up the middle. If you listen close, you will hear Tony Sanchez start belting out “if you like Pina Coladas….” as the video concludes.

Jeff Clement has done nothing except hit during the time we have watched him in the cage. It should be noted that the Bucs are taping each BP session as well as they have coaches recording the results of various games they are working on–such as moving runners, bunt drills, etc.

Neil Walker and Garrett Jones hit the ball very well yesterday. Clint Barmes bounced back very well and was launching balls yesterday in BP.

The corner infield defense is an area of weakness for the Pirates. The team was working hard on improving defense during drills yesterday.

Nick Evans has been working at third base the past few days. He has been doing rather well.

Tony Sanchez threw the ball well during cather’s drills. Mike McKenry got off to a slow start, but finished well. Rod Barajas took charge a few times during the drills and explained his reasoning to Tom Prince. Here are some shots from the session.

Ray Searage is lighter and livelier than we have ever seen him. He was having a ball on the comeback drills. Searage was very fun and gave Duke Welker the nickname Dorn from Major League for some of his actions.

This was the only shot of Robbie Grossman we took all day. We were too busy admiring the home run balls he was launching all over the field. He had a really good day in the cages.