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Alex Stumpf

@alexjstumpf

Let me show you why they call me the velour fog.

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29.09.2023
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Latest posts by Alex Stumpf @alexjstumpf

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Spring Training No. 7 is in the books. Year No. 7 of coverage is just getting started.

See yinz soon.

05.03.2026 21:11 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Bryan Reynolds said he was excited for Andrew McCutchen after he signed today with the Rangers. Here’s what he had to say about the organization moving on without Cutch.

05.03.2026 17:07 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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05.03.2026 16:37 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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It’s not a trip to spring training without some BP videos. Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhostynxon Garcia with some cuts today

05.03.2026 16:31 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Interesting trade. Callihan had his season cut short last year after fracturing his arm colliding with an outfield wall, but showed some offensive potential from the left side. Top 20 prospect for the Reds who could contribute on right side of the infield or the outfield.

05.03.2026 00:35 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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I don’t know if JosΓ© Urquidy was that satisfied with his strikeout pitch to Gio Urshela, but it was sequenced well and got the whiff. Fastball low in the zone, follows it up with a sinker. Sinker has been getting some solid dive.

03.03.2026 18:26 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Staying in the game. Working through what that looks like

02.03.2026 23:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Good morning

02.03.2026 15:59 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Yo

01.03.2026 16:04 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Finally made it out to the wall for Maz. The case was fresh

23.02.2026 21:40 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

At no point this offseason did I think he was going to

09.02.2026 14:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Maybe the hip injury contributed to some of that. Still, bat speed was down a considerable chunk in April β€˜25 compared to April β€˜24.
Still needs to show his more selective approach wasn’t just a one-year thing and that he can handle pitches low in the zone. Both aren’t guaranteed

09.02.2026 14:19 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

Ozuna’s bat speed dropped 1.1 mph last year, his SLG dropped over 100 points against every pitch group and he’ll presumably boot O’Hearn to the outfield after he was one of the game’s best defensive 1B last year.

Had to have been better ways to improve the offense for that money

09.02.2026 14:19 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

#FansWithSources

05.02.2026 18:34 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Pirates have signed JosΓ© Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, pending physical. Adds depth to staff, he reunites with pitching coach Bill Murphy (who he worked with in Houston) and has minor league options. Will Sammon had it first

05.02.2026 18:34 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Some personal news. I was let go by MLB dot com today as part of a restructuring within the company.

I’m proud of the work I did there, and I want to thank everyone who read along. Onto the next chapter.

04.02.2026 22:54 πŸ‘ 85 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 33 πŸ“Œ 7

Sports are a β€œcultural phenomenon.” They are a regular, unifying force for community, joy, justice, history. That’s why there are dedicated sports desks, to properly document something that means so much to so many.

We are all the poorer for this short-sighted, abhorrent decision.

04.02.2026 16:12 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Pirates offered the same AAV for Suarez as what he signed for with the Reds (and were willing to go higher), according to a source. Sounds like Suarez chose a more favorable ballpark and familiarity w/ Cincy for a prove-it deal.

Would have been 1/$15 but Pirates were willing to do a multi-year deal

01.02.2026 22:47 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 4
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A year ago, Spencer Horwitz felt the pressure of being the Pirates only big offseason addition. This time around, he’s healthy and part of a deeper lineup.

β€œWe're just super excited to be able to lean on each other.”

More in the Pirates Beat newsletter, now in your inbox.

27.01.2026 17:13 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Jones on a mound again, eager to rejoin Bucs' rugged rotation PITTSBURGH -- It was a Christmas morning feel for Jared Jones when he got to put his cleats to rubber on Jan. 10. After nearly a year of starting and stopping rehab and an eventual internal brace surg...

β€œRight now, I'm competing against throwing fastballs in the zone. Every time I don't do that, I have some choice words for myself. So I haven't lost that edge yet."
Jared Jones is throwing bullpens again and picking up velo. More from his PiratesFest trip
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

24.01.2026 16:30 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I asked Jared Jones what his emotions were on that first day he could throw.

His answer: β€œLet’s fucking go.”

Not really an emotion, in my opinion, but yeah, he’s excited to get back.

23.01.2026 21:48 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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The Pirates have announced seven more non-roster invites to Spring Training, including Konnor Griffin

16.01.2026 16:21 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

The Pirates have acquired third baseman Francisco Loreto from the Phillies for RHP Chase Shugart. Loreto, 18, played 47 games in the FCL last year. Shugart was DFA’d last week.

13.01.2026 20:17 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Pirates All-Star, World Series champion pitcher Dave Giusti dies at 86 Dave Giusti, the All-Star and World Series champion closer who found a second career out of the bullpen with the Pirates, passed away on Sunday in Pittsburgh. He was 86 years old. Giusti pitched 15 ye...

Dave Giusti, one of the greatest relievers in Pirates history and a World Series champion, passed away Sunday.
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

12.01.2026 19:22 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Bucs far from finished with offseason moves On Thursday, the Pirates formally introduced Ryan O’Hearn – their first multiyear free-agent signing since 2016 and the proud new owner of the largest free-agent contract for a position player in fran...

Ben Cherington is confident the Pirates are going to keep adding before Opening Day. What could that look like?
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

10.01.2026 20:52 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Pirates finalize 2-year deal with All-Star O'Hearn First baseman Ryan O'Hearn was always one of the Pirates’ top targets this offseason. As a desired free agent, O’Hearn needed to do his research first. Some of it was about the 2025 team, especially o...

The Brandon Lowe trade β€œmoved the needle” towards Ryan O’Hearn signing with the Pirates. His phone call with Don Kelly sealed it.

On Thursday, the Pirates introduced their biggest free agent in years
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

09.01.2026 02:21 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Bucs agree to deals with Cruz, 3 others to avoid arbitration (sources) The Pirates agreed to contracts for the 2026 season with Dennis Santana, Joey Bart, Oneil Cruz and Justin Lawrence Thursday, meaning they will not need to go to arbitration with anyone this spring. Ac...

The Pirates are avoiding arbitration with all eligible players this year
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

08.01.2026 19:52 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Source confirms Oneil Cruz and Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal to avoid arbitration. Robert Murray had it first

08.01.2026 18:00 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Source: Pirates and Justin Lawrence agree to a one-year, $1.225 million deal to avoid arbitration

08.01.2026 17:58 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Source: Pirates and Dennis Santana have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract to avoid arbitration

08.01.2026 17:29 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0