A.J. Burnett Bringing Winning Mentality to Pirates

Former Pirates pitcher returns to mentor young pitching staff ahead of Spring Training

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A.J. Burnett, a former starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been invited by manager Don Kelly to serve as a mentor and help out the team's young pitching staff during Spring Training. Burnett was an important part of the Pirates' playoff teams in 2013 and 2015, and he hopes to impart his winning experience and wisdom to the current players as they look to end the team's more than decade-long postseason drought.

Why it matters

Burnett's return to the Pirates organization as a mentor is seen as an important move to help the team's young pitchers develop a winning mentality and learn from someone who has experienced success at the highest level. The Pirates are hoping Burnett's presence can help them return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

The details

Burnett, who was an All-Star with the Pirates in 2015, will be working with the team's pitchers in Bradenton, Florida, ahead of the start of Spring Training. He hopes to share his experiences from the team's 2013 and 2015 playoff runs, when the Pirates made it to the NLDS. Burnett believes the current group of Pirates players already have the talent to make the playoffs, and he wants to help reinforce their belief in themselves.

  • Burnett received an invite from Pirates manager Don Kelly to join the team in Bradenton, Florida this week.
  • The Pirates last made the postseason in 2015, ending a more than decade-long drought.

The players

A.J. Burnett

A former starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was an important part of the team's playoff teams in 2013 and 2015.

Don Kelly

The current manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates who invited Burnett to join the team as a mentor during Spring Training.

Paul Skenes

A star pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who spoke about the importance of surrounding himself with winners, which aligns with Burnett's role as a mentor.

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What they’re saying

“Pretty much the same mentality everywhere, but it means a little more in certain cities that deserve it, certain cities that crave it and that's what we did. We felt it from the fans, we felt it from the city.”

— A.J. Burnett, Former Pirates Pitcher (DK Pittsburgh Sports)

“Hopefully it all works great like that. I agree with him. You want people around that's been there, done it. I've had wonderful playoff games, I've had ones I'd rather not talk about. I've been at the highs, I've been at the lows. So guess I'm a good match for anybody that needs anything, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet them.”

— A.J. Burnett, Former Pirates Pitcher (DK Pittsburgh Sports)

What’s next

The Pirates will be closely watching Burnett's interactions with the team's young pitchers during Spring Training, hoping his winning experience and mentorship can help the team return to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

The takeaway

Burnett's return to the Pirates organization as a mentor demonstrates the team's commitment to building a winning culture and tapping into the knowledge of former players who have experienced success in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are hoping Burnett's presence can help inspire the current group of players to believe in themselves and their ability to end the team's postseason drought.