Pirates News: New farm director, Paul Skenes' offseason work with top prospect, Konnor Griffin

While the Pittsburgh Pirates have done little to improve their on-field product this offseason, they continue to make changes to their coaching and front office staffs.

The Pirates reportedly filled their farm director vacancy this week by promoting Michael Chernow to the position. Chernow has spent eight years within the organization, including the last three as the assistant director of coaching and player development. He replaces John Baker, who held the position for four years before transitioning into a new role overseeing the performance team back in November.

Chernow is the final new department head in Pittsburgh's front office shake-up. The Pirates also have hired Max Kwan as the director of international scouting, Kevin Tenenbaum as vice president of research and development and Michael Voltmer as vice president of professional evaluation and strategy.

Pirates' Paul Skenes playfully puts Bubba Chandler on blast after offseason bullpen session

Pirates ace Paul Skenes played catch earlier this winter with top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler as they gear up for the upcoming season. While the reigning National League Rookie of the Year spoke highly of Chandler's pitching skills, he couldn't help but take a few playful digs at his bullpen catching.

"Yeah, he's in a good spot physically, his stuff's really good," Skenes said of Chandler during a media availability at PiratesFest over the weekend, smirking before he added, "I'm really glad I play catch with a bullpen catcher every day because throwing with him, I don't know if his eyes aren't very good but he was jumping out of the way of everything. It was pissing me off. But his stuff's really good because I was catching him. I had no trouble, because I was a catcher and my eyes are good."

Chandler went 4-0 with a 1.83 ERA over seven starts with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, following an August promotion from Double-A Altoona. All signs point to him making his MLB debut with the Pirates at some point during the 2025 season, but he'll likely be asked to leave the catcher's mitt at home.

Pirates' 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin receives high praise from MLB Pipeline

Konnor Griffin has yet to take the field with the Pirates, but the 2024 first-round pick already has superstar potential. While MLB Pipeline recently ranked Griffin the No. 51 prospect in baseball, Jim Callis believes he has what it takes to quickly ascend the ranks.

"Signed for $6,532,025 by the Pirates as the No. 9 overall selection, Griffin could climb toward the very top of the Top 100 if he gets off to a hot start when he makes his pro debut this spring," Callis wrote. "He has well above-average raw power and speed and offers quality defense at premium positions, so he'll be a superstar if the bat plays."

Griffin was the first high school player taken in the 2024 MLB Draft and has room to improve, especially at the plate. But if he can live up to his potential, he could be a critical piece of the Pirates' future.

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