The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially kicked off their spring training with their first game against the Baltimore Orioles in the Grapefruit League. Set to take place at Ed Smith Stadium, the Pirates lineup features promising talents like Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis, who hopes to rebound from a lackluster major league stint after a strong minor league career. Davis, the 2021 first overall pick, faces stiff competition from teammates Joey Bart and Endy Rodriguez for playing time behind the plate.

Carmen Mlodzinski, who had a solid previous season with a 3.38 ERA, is poised to further establish himself as a reliable pitcher for the Pirates. As the team prepares for the season, manager Derek Shelton maintains faith in Davis, emphasizing a patient approach to his development. This spring, the Pirates are focused on integrating their young talent and shaping their roster for the upcoming season.

Joey Bart has seen a notable shift in his performance since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing flashes of potential that may make him a valuable pick in upcoming drafts. After being released by the San Francisco Giants, Bart's stats improved, especially against left-handed pitching, though he still has a significant strikeout rate of 25.9%. Despite a promising start with three home runs in his first seven games, injuries have clouded his consistency.

Moving forward, Bart's projected stats over 450 at-bats are favorable, predicting 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. However, he faces potential competition from teammates Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, both of whom are talented young catchers capable of taking over his role. Given this backdrop, Bart presents a risk-reward scenario for fantasy managers—he offers power but his job security is uncertain.

The pressure mounts for former No. 1 overall picks in baseball, especially for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have seen both Paul Skenes and Henry Davis in recent seasons. Skenes, the 2023 pick, excelled, earning the NL Rookie of the Year and a third-place finish in the Cy Young voting. Conversely, Davis, the 2021 pick, has struggled with a .191 average in 99 MLB games. Manager Derek Shelton remains optimistic about Davis, highlighting the need for patience as he transitions from a successful minor league career with a .290 average to a more challenging major league environment.

As the Pirates prepare for the 2025 season, both Skenes and Davis will be pivotal to the franchise's future. The emergence of Joey Bart and returning Endy Rodríguez complicates Davis's path, necessitating consistent at-bats for development. Shelton believes that with time and the right adjustments, Davis can become the player they envisioned when drafting him. Spring training will be crucial for him to showcase his potential and secure a role within the team's plans.

Andrew McCutchen is set for his 12th season with the Pittsburgh Pirates after signing a one-year contract worth $5 million. The former NL MVP, who played primarily as a designated hitter last season, recorded 20 home runs and 50 RBIs in 120 games.

McCutchen, a five-time All-Star, has had a storied career, initially drafted by the Pirates in 2005. His return adds depth to the team as they look to manage the playing time of former No. 1 pick Henry Davis.

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished the 2024 season with a 76-86 record, landing them in fifth place in the NL Central. After a balanced first half, the team faltered, with a notable drop in offensive performance.

Young pitchers like Paul Skenes and Luis Ortiz showed promise, while the bullpen found strength in Dennis Santana. However, the offense struggled significantly, with key players like Ke'Bryan Hayes and Henry Davis underperforming.

Heading into the offseason, the Pirates need to bolster their hitting and address the closer situation, particularly with potential free agency losses.