Pirates Spring Training Kicks Off in Bradenton

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sports writer is heading down to Bradenton, Florida to cover the final portion of the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training before they travel across town to begin Grapefruit League play. He is looking forward to getting past the obligatory platitudes and learning more substantive information that will help inform his coverage in the weeks to come.

Why it matters

Spring training is an important time for MLB teams to evaluate their rosters, work on fundamentals, and prepare for the upcoming regular season. As a writer covering the Pirates, this trip to Bradenton will provide valuable insights and information to share with readers as the team gets ready to open the 2026 season.

The details

The writer will be in Bradenton, Florida for the remainder of the week to cover the Pirates' final spring training preparations. He plans to provide content beyond what the team's beat reporter is offering, with a focus on learning details that will help inform his coverage in the weeks ahead. This includes getting past the typical spring training platitudes and gaining a deeper understanding of the team's roster, strategy, and outlook for the season.

• The writer will be flying down to Bradenton, Florida tonight.
• He will be spending the rest of the week in Bradenton covering the Pirates' spring training.