Pirates News: Paul Skenes gift, roster move frustrates fans, Minor League playoffs

After getting his first solo box cover with Topps Finest earlier this summer, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes wanted to celebrate by giving back to the community that helped shape him during his childhood.

Skenes personally sent some Topps Finest 2025 boxes to his old middle school, Serrano Intermediate School in Lake Forest, Calif. The boxes are sold out on the Topps website, with each one worth at least $400 on the resale market.

"Hopefully there are a lot of collectors there and just wanted to share it with you guys," Skenes said in a video message shared by Topps on social media. "So enjoy some boxes of cards on me and hopefully you pull something good. Go Pirates and go Seahawks."

Pirates News: Outfield roster move frustrates fans

The Pirates made a minor outfield swap prior to Sunday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, recalling Ji Hwan Bae to the MLB roster and optioning Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bae had played in seven games earlier this season, collecting just one hit in 11 at-bats. At Indianapolis, he was batting .282 with a .377 on-base percentage, one home run, 17 doubles and 20 RBI. 

The team's announcement of the move on social media was met with dozens of replies from angry fans bemoaning the fact that Bae was being given yet another chance in Pittsburgh despite failing to stick at the MLB level at any point during the last four years. They wanted a chance to see Kreidler, who did not appear in any games for the Pirates after the teampicked him up off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. 

The harsh reality, though, is that Kreidler slashed .105/.190/.105 for an OPS of .295 in 25 games with the Tigers this season. He had four hits in 38 at-bats, four walks to 19 strikeouts and a pair of stolen bases. He's not likely to be a long-term piece for the Pirates, who have invested more time and resources into Bae's development. Bae now gives Pittsburgh more support in the outfield corners behind Tommy Pham and Bryan Reynolds.

Pirates News: Minor league affiliates clinch postseason berths

While the Pirates won't play in the playoffs this year, two of their minor league affiliates will do so later this month. Both Double-A Altoona and High-A Greensboro clinched their spots in their respective postseasons on Sunday.

Altoona – led by top Pirates prospects Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson and Esmerlyn Valdez – currently has a 38-25 record in the second half of the season, leading the Eastern League Southwest Division. They will face Erie, who is four games behind them, for the final six-game series of the season this week.

Meanwhile, Greensboro snuck into the postseason on the final day of their regular season. They will host Brooklyn in Game 1 of the Division Series on Tuesday.