North Shore Nine: A Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast

MLB Pipeline’s Sam Dykstra joins Jim Rosati live from Camelback Ranch at the Arizona Fall League to break down the next wave of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.

Dykstra explains why Wyatt Sanford’s added power has changed his prospect outlook and could put him in the Top 100 conversation in 2027. They also dive into Seth Hernandez’s ceiling, how quickly Murf Gray could push toward Pittsburgh, Edward Florentino’s upside, Easton Carmichael, the Pirates’ 2026 draft class and the ridiculous raw power of Tony Blanco Jr.

Plus, what does Pittsburgh falling from the No. 3 farm system to No. 13 actually say about the organization after graduating players like Konnor Griffin and Bubba Chandler?

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates have extended Brandon Lowe a $23.15 million qualifying offer, but that’s only the beginning of what could become one of Pittsburgh’s biggest decisions of the offseason.

Alex Stumpf breaks down Lowe’s potential free-agent market, the massive gap between early contract projections, which teams could compete with the Pirates and why a deal around four years and $75–80 million may ultimately make sense. With 2027 shaping up as a pivotal season for Pittsburgh, how much long-term risk should the Pirates be willing to take to keep him?

Read more from Alex at Book Rule Bucs:
https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download the North Shore Nine app:
https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Larine Co. is offering NS9 listeners up to 50% off:
https://buylarine.com/northshore

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MLB free agency is officially here, but the Pirates’ offseason might not be solved simply by spending on the open market.

DiNardo and Jim break down Pittsburgh’s biggest decisions, including Brandon Lowe’s qualifying offer and potential market, whether Gregory Soto is worth bringing back, what Mitch Keller’s future means for the rotation and why the Pirates desperately need to improve against left-handed pitching.

And if Lowe leaves, can the Pirates actually replace his 35 home runs? The guys discuss Edmundo Sosa, the trade market and why Pittsburgh may need to find its next impact bat somewhere other than free agency.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carmen Mlodzinski enters the offseason without a clear spot in the Pirates’ rotation, but that could make him one of Pittsburgh’s most interesting trade chips.

Alex Stumpf looks at Mlodzinski’s value in a thin pitching market, why his three years of control and projected $1.6 million salary matter, and whether the Pirates could use him to acquire the impact bat their roster still needs.

Read more from Alex Stumpf at Book Rule Bucs:
https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download the North Shore Nine app:
https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could 2027 really be Paul Skenes’ final season with the Pirates?

Alex Stumpf answers your questions on another Friday OffBeat mailbag, including what could happen with Skenes if the Pirates fail again in 2027, what still needs to change with Henry Davis’ swing, who could be Pittsburgh’s next extension candidate and how the looming MLB lockout could impact this offseason.

OffBeat is presented by FanDuel.

Larine Co. is offering North Shore Nine listeners up to 50% off at buylarine.com/northshore.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Milwaukee Brewers just won the World Series — in baseball’s smallest market.

Alex Stumpf looks at what Milwaukee’s championship actually says about the Pittsburgh Pirates, why payroll alone can’t explain the difference between the two organizations, and how the Brewers built a sustainable winner through development, coaching, trades and organizational culture.

In this episode:

• Why Milwaukee’s championship was years in the making
• What the Brewers proved about winning in a small market
• Why Quinn Priester is an example of the organizational difference
• What Pittsburgh can — and can’t — blame on payroll
• Why Alex expects Milwaukee to remain a contender

OffBeat is a daily look at the Pittsburgh Pirates from North Shore Nine.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did the Pirates hire the wrong GM? With Matt Arnold and the Brewers in the World Series, Tyler and DiNardo revisit Pittsburgh’s 2019 decision to hire Ben Cherington over Arnold and debate how different the last seven years could have looked.

Plus, we dig into the Pirates’ hiring of former Astros pitching coach Sean Buchanan, what it says about their pitching development strategy, and finish by putting some of the hottest Pirates takes floating around social media on trial.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FanGraphs prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen joins DiNardo live from the Arizona Fall League to break down some of the most intriguing players in the Pirates farm system.

Eric explains why Jhonny Severino is back on his radar, what has changed with Wyatt Sanford, how good Easton Carmichael could be behind the plate and why Michael Walsh has big-league bullpen stuff. They also get into the concerns surrounding Zander Mueth, the Pirates’ selection of Derek Curiel and an under-the-radar arm Pirates fans should know in Reinold Navarro.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates prospect Wyatt Sanford joins Alex Stumpf in Arizona after launching a 454-foot home run — the longest of his professional career — to talk about the offensive jump that changed his season.

Sanford explains how he added strength and power, why he’s working to cut down the swing-and-miss, and how being labeled a glove-first player became motivation. He also talks working with his dad, studying video, his “hitting rat” mentality and what Pittsburgh should expect from him.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Stumpf sits down with Pirates catching prospect Easton Carmichael in Arizona to talk about his breakout season, what he learned from his first full year and why he's already setting his sights on a 20/20 season in 2027.

Carmichael also discusses his approach at the plate, growing up as a coach's son, his development behind the plate, learning to move on from failure and what he wants Pirates fans to get every time they watch him play.

Subscribe to Alex Stumpf’s Book-Rule Bucs Substack:
https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Rosati breaks down the decision facing the Pirates with Mitch Keller after an injury-plagued 2026. Keller says he’s healthy and expects a normal offseason, but with $18.4 million due next season, should Pittsburgh keep the veteran starter or move his contract and spend that money elsewhere?

Jim also gets into Brandon Lowe’s upcoming free agency, why the qualifying offer is an easy decision, and whether the Pirates can really afford to operate like the Brewers or Rays when they don’t have another Brandon Lowe waiting in the organization.

Bucco Brew is powered by De Fer Coffee & Tea. Get 30% off your first online order with code NS930 at defer.coffee.

Larine: https://buylarine.com/northshore

Download the North Shore Nine app:
https://northshorenine.com/get-app

North Shore Nine is presented by FanDuel.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates are likely losing one of their most consistent hitters in Brandon Lowe, and replacing that production won't be easy. Alex Stumpf looks at why Bryan Reynolds may need to become the steady, month-to-month force Pittsburgh's lineup needs in 2027.

Reynolds showed stretches of All-Star level production in 2026, but his second-half drop-off was part of the Pirates' offensive struggles. With plenty of variance elsewhere in the lineup, Pittsburgh needs one of its highest-paid players to deliver from April through September.

Download the NS9 app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our Arizona Fall League trip ends with a walk-off.

DiNardo and Jim recap a long day at Camelback Ranch that ended with Jhonny Severino delivering the game-winning hit for Glendale. We also break down an impressive outing from Cristhian Tortosa, a rough night for Brandon Cain and what stood out from Easton Carmichael behind the plate, including a couple interesting moments with the ABS challenge system.

We also wrap up the trip and preview some of the conversations we recorded in Arizona with Sam Dykstra, Eric Longenhagen and more.

North Shore Nine is presented by FanDuel.

Download the NS9 app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Stumpf opens up the OffBeat mailbag to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the offseason.

What does Konnor Griffin need to continue developing with his swing? Could Mitch Keller actually be traded? Should the Pirates bring Brandon Lowe back? Does this rotation need another left-handed starter? Alex gets into all of that and more while looking ahead to some of the decisions that could shape the Pirates in 2027.

Download the North Shore Nine app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Read more from Alex Stumpf on Substack: [Alex Stumpf Substack link]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wyatt Sanford gave Pirates fans plenty to watch in our second day at the Arizona Fall League.

The Pirates prospect went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base as the Glendale Desert Dogs rolled to a 10-0 win over the Mesa Solar Sox. We break down what stood out from Sanford's night, what we're seeing from him in person and everything else we noticed from another night in Arizona.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Pirates announced several of their minor league award winners this week, and Alex Stumpf sees two players who could be closer to Pittsburgh than people realize. He breaks down Murf Gray’s breakout season and path to the majors, plus why Derek Diamond’s stuff and versatility could make him a legitimate option for the Pirates as soon as 2027.

Subscribe to Alex Stumpf’s Book Rule Bucs: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download the North Shore Nine app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

North Shore Nine is presented by FanDuel.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NS9LIVE! is coming to you from Arizona as we kick off our Arizona Fall League coverage.

Jim, DiNardo, and Alex each give one thing they want to see or learn from this trip, plus we touch on the Pirates’ Minor League award winners announced this week, recap our first day in Arizona after somehow bringing rain to the desert, and wrap up with our thoughts on the World Series.

What matters most for these Pirates prospects while we’re out here? Let us know what you want us watching for.

Download the North Shore Nine app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pirates pitching prospect Brandon Cain joins Jim from the Arizona Fall League for the latest Get To Know.

Cain talks about going to Oklahoma as a hitter, the moment he got back on the mound and watched his velocity jump, touching 99 mph and what he’s working on during his time in Arizona. He also gets into his relationship with cousin Lorenzo Cain, studying computer science, building his own PC, Call of Duty, his draft-day celebration and which Pirates prospect he’d want to face in the box.

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Stumpf breaks down the Brewers-Rays World Series matchup and explains why he believes Milwaukee has the edge in a seven-game series.

From Milwaukee’s dominant bullpen and pitching versatility to the position-by-position matchup featuring Jackson Chourio, Junior Caminero, William Contreras and more, Alex goes through where each team has the advantage before making his World Series prediction.

Subscribe to Alex Stumpf’s Book-Rule Bucs Substack: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Download our app!
: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/north-shore-nine/id6771171000
: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.northshorenine.app

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join

Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee

Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com

LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFICATIONS ON if you enjoyed the show!

NS9 MERCH: https://northshorenine.myshopify.com

►Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/NorthShoreNine
►Website:
https://www.northshorenine.com
►Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/northshorenine
►TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@northshorenine
►Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/northshorenine
►Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/northshorenine
►Discord:
https://discord.gg/3HVYPg544m

#pittsburghpirates

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chris Archer trade happened eight years ago, but are the Pirates still feeling the effects of it?

Alex Stumpf looks at how the Rays built another pennant-winning roster largely through trades, why Tampa continues taking aggressive swings for talent, and why Pittsburgh can’t let one disastrous deal make the organization afraid of taking risks.

Download the NS9 app: https://northshorenine.com/get-app

Read more from Alex Stumpf on Substack: https://bookrulebucs.substack.com/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.