Pirates Spring Standouts 1.0: Several Players off to Hot Starts

The Pittsburgh Pirates are six games into their Grapefruit League schedule and there are already a handful of players making an impact.

Now, there are two things to keep in mind when mentioning players off to hot starts this spring. First, the sample size is still extremely small. The Pirates will play their final February spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday afternoon.

Second, spring training statistics are always to be looked at cautiously. The competition isn’t always MLB-caliber, players are experimenting with different things, etc.

But nonetheless, it’s better to be playing well than the alternative, obviously. Here are some players making a strong first impression in 2025.

Matt Gorski

• Spring stats: .500/.444/1.750, 4 for 8, one double, three home runs, 10 RBIs, three runs, four games

To say Gorski is scorching early would be an understatement. The 27-year-old leads all of spring training with 10 RBIs and is tied for the lead in homers. Gorski is presumably one of a handful of players in competition at first base this spring and is putting himself more squarely in the mix.

DJ Stewart

• Spring stats: .545/.583/1.091, 6 for 11, three doubles, one home run, four RBIs, three runs, five games

As with Gorski, Stewart is one of the players vying to fill in for the injured Spencer Horwitz to start the season. A non-roster invitee, Stewart was signed as a minor-league free agent in the offseason after spending the past couple years with the New York Mets.

Jack Suwinski

• Spring stats: .571/.667/1.143, 4 for 7, one double, one home run, four RBIs, two steals, two runs, three games

Suwinski’s fast start is especially encouraging considering his dreadful 2024 season. The 26-year-old led the Pirates in home runs and OPS in 2023 and could be a potential difference-maker this season if he’s able to continue to play well and carry it over to the regular season.

Nick Solak

• Spring stats: .556/.556/.889, 5 for 9, three doubles, two RBIs, one steal, three runs, four games

The usual suspects (Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, etc.) aren’t the ones who are off to good starts this spring and that trend continues with Solak. Another non-roster invitee, Solak has previous experience in the big leagues and is one of a handful of depth options for the Pirates.

Tanner Rainey

• Spring stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 innings, one hit, one runs, one walk, four strikeouts, two appearances

The Pirates signed Rainey to a minor-league deal this winter and the right-hander is fighting for an open spot on the bullpen to begin the season. It’s only been two appearances, but both have been good.

Tim Mayza

• Spring stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 innings, two hits, no runs, no walks, four strikeouts, two appearances

Mayza has matched Rainey’s success and has had two good relief appearances for the Pirates. The veteran left-hander projects to be part of the Opening Day bullpen after signing a one-year deal.

Three Scoreless Starts

Three regulars have had scoreless starts for the Pirates this spring. Mitch Keller threw two-scoreless frames with three hits against him and one strikeout. Jared Jones walked one, allowed one hit and struck out three in two innings. Finally, Bailey Falter threw two-hitless innings with one walk and three strikeouts in his first start.