Alex Stumpf

I’ll admit that I once thought Braxton Ashcraft was destined for the bullpen. But after seeing him start at the end of the year and what he worked on this winter, he could be the Pirates’ No. 2 starter. More on the rotation’s wild card for today’s OffBeat northshorenine.com/why-braxton-as…

Can’t help but think that playing time factored into this. After missing most of the last two years, Endy needs to play. Easier to do that in Indy than being a backup in the Majors. Tough, because he’s hit the best out of anyone in the catcher room this spring

@PlatinumKey13 Batter is crowding the plate

Braxton Ashcraft tonight (radio only): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K 81 pitches, 55 strikes, 8 whiffs He now has a 2.03 ERA this Spring in 13.1 IP

ICYMI: I’m doing a daily video podcast with @NorthShoreNine called OffBeat. Today’s episode is on Mitch Keller, how his pitch mix has changed the last few years and what the Pirates need out of him this season. northshorenine.com/the-pirates-do…

Not every pitcher in your rotation has to be the guy. That’s kind of the point @AlexJStumpf is making here with Mitch Keller. The Pirates have enough upside around him. What they still need is someone who can take the ball every fifth day, give them real innings, and keep things stable when the rotation gets tested. It may not look as electric as some of the other arms, but there’s real value in that role. At this point, Keller being a steady hand might matter just as much as anything else.

Mitch Keller might not need to be the Pirates’ ace in 2026, but he absolutely needs to matter. On the latest OffBeat, @AlexJStumpf breaks down Keller’s evolution, what’s changed, and why his role in this rotation is still a big deal. Watch/listen now: northshorenine.com/the-pirates-do…

@colin_beazley This is a sicko descriptor that I will be stealing

Former Pirate free agent target Eugenio Suarez gives Venezuela the lead and gets this place rocking.

ROSTER MOVE: We have reassigned RHP Noah Murdock to minor league camp. There are now 38 players remaining in Major League camp.

@_NoahHiles BuccoMears post

“Lil’ Lad” … People don’t talk enough about how Hannah is a mean person.

.@AlexJStumpf breaks down a second base situation that feels solved for today and wide open for tomorrow. Watch/listen to today's OffBeat: northshorenine.com/the-pirates-ha…

We have made the following roster moves. There are now 39 players remaining in Major League camp.

@hernleyt Thanks for listening!

I’m catching up on Off Beat and @AlexJStumpf made a very compelling argument for at least giving Carmen Mlodzinski another shot at being a starter. I personally still think I’d prefer him in the bullpen but if he works out as a fifth starter until Jones is back, that’s great

We have made the following roster moves. There are now 44 players remaining in Major League camp.

The catcher conversation isn’t going away. On the latest OffBeat, @AlexJStumpf breaks down the Pirates’ uncertainty behind the plate, why Joey Bart may be the safest option, and what still needs to click from Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez, and Rafael Flores. Watch/listen now on North Shore Nine. youtu.be/ldrzonP-CGU?si…

21/24, because you can’t top 21 in Pittsburgh

Enjoy the WBC. I’m in pursuit for the perfect Oscar ballot

@DickSpallone412 Both, but especially with Safdie movies. MBJ didn’t reinvent the wheel but he always commanded the shot. He was always interesting when he was in the frame. I didn’t get that with Chalamet. He has a very head-on interpretation with no wiggle room to be goofy or scary or weird

@AlexJStumpf Nothing new in terms of his own filmography or new to film in general? I love OBAA/Sinners and their respective actors, but I wouldn’t exactly say Leo/MBJ reinvented the wheel either. I’d be so glad with any of them winning but don’t see how Chalamet had no delivery

@DickSpallone412 A lot of his buzz was his marketing of the movie, not the performance. I felt he brought nothing new to the table and that all of the intrigue the character had was all on the page and not in the delivery

@AlexJStumpf Why not Chalamet?

Alex brought up some interesting numbers. Carmen Mlodzinski's new pitch mix that he debuted in last year's 2nd half may give him real starter upside. Watch or listen to Alex's breakdown 👇