North Shore Nine: A Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast

The Point is back for the offseason! Hosted by Jim, this around-the-horn–style Pirates debate show features an all-star panel: John Perrotto (Roundtable Sports) Jose Negron (DK Pittsburgh Sports) Platinum Key (Bucco Territory) Dougie Fresh (North Shore Nine) They’ll go head-to-head on the biggest Pittsburgh Pirates storylines of the offseason — and at the end, you decide the winner in a live poll....

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a plethora of moves today. We discuss all of them and what they mean as Free Agency officially begins. Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coffee Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIF...

Barry Bonds is officially back on the Hall of Fame ballot — and tonight on NS9LIVE, we’re breaking down what it means for Pittsburgh, for baseball, and for one of the most polarizing careers in MLB history. We’ll also dive into the Pirates placing Ji Hwan Bae, Liover Peguero, and Jack Little on waivers, the new Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby featuring Esmerlyn Valdez and Tony Blanco Jr., and w...

We are joined by Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline while we were at the Arizona Fall League. Sam gives his update on some of the interesting prospects in the Pirates system such as Konnor Griffin, Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, and more. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE an...

The Dodgers have done it again — back-to-back World Series titles. But at what cost? On this week’s Bucco Brew, we’re asking the question every baseball fan’s thinking: are the Dodgers ruining the sport? We break down how their endless payroll, development machine, and dominance are reshaping MLB—and what it means for small-market teams like the Pirates. Plus, a big week in the Pirates system: Kon...

The Pirates made a few coaching/front office moves this week. They brought in former Astros pitching coach to fill the role left vacant by Oscar Marin. Jim, DiNardo, & Tyler discuss why there is optimism with this move and how Bill Murphy is viewed and what he brings to the table in Pittsburgh. The Pirates also moved on from John Baker as what was described as a mutual decision. But, we also s...

While we were in Arizona we caught up with Baseball America's Jesus Cano to dive into what he has been seeing from the Pirates prospects in the AFL. With the dominant start from Esmerlyn Valdez, to the power from Tony Blanco Jr., as well as which pitchers are showing him some promise. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join Use Promo...

Bucco Brew Powered by De Fer Coffee & Tea Jim and DiNardo discuss the loss of Justin Horowitz, who was named Assistant General Manager for the Nationals last week. What does that mean for the Pirates going forward? They also touch on what the 2026 payroll looks like and project how and where they will end up come Opening Day. Presented by FanDuel Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first ord...

The Pirates’ 2025 season was a frustrating mix of promising underlying metrics and disappointing outcomes. Their team expected wOBA (xwOBA) suggested they were doing far more damage than their actual numbers showed. In this episode, we dig into: Which hitters under-performed their expected numbers (exit velocity, xSLG, xwOBA) and are set up for a rebound. The young players who might finally take a...

Jim, Tyler, & DiNardo wrap up their time at the Arizona Fall League by each giving their biggest takeaway. It's no surprise that Esmerlyn Valdez & Tony Blanco Jr. were the talk of the league so far. Listen to what each have to say from their visit. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https:...

Bucco Brew Powered by De Fer Coffee & Tea Jim and DiNardo are back from their trip to Arizona Fall League and they have some thoughts. Also, could Paul Skenes have been the next Shohei Ohtani? Presented by De Fer Coffee & Tea. Watch, comment, and subscribe for more Pirates talk from Bucco Brew. Presented by Fanduel Use Promo Code NS930 for 30% off your first order at https://www.defer.coff...

Tyler and Jim recap day 3 of NS9's trip to the Arizona Fall League. Today we saw the Salt River Rafters come from behind to win thanks in part to Tony Blanco Jr.'s 2 RBI Double. Both he and Esmerlyn Valdez once again sparked the offense for this team. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ZY250XUYiS-yX7xOQCdLA/join Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first or...

Tony Blanco Jr. joins DiNardo as he asks him how he is able to hit the 15th hardest ball in Statcast history at just 20 years of age, his patience at the plate, and wonders who would win in a HR derby between Tony and Esmerlyn Valdez. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIK...

DiNardo talks to The Magician, Esmerlyn Valdez, on his scorching hot start to the Arizona Fall League where he leads in walks and home runs. He also wants to know who would win in a HR derby between Esmerlyn and Tony Blanco Jr. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and S...

Tyler & DiNardo recap day 2 of the NS9 Arizona Fall League trip. Tony Blanco Jr. went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk while also recording the 15th hardest hit ever in Statcast history with his 120.4 mph double. Josh Loeschorn and Jaden Woods also each pitched giving up an earned un a piece. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENI...

Jim and DiNardo recap Day 1 of NS9's trip to the Arizona Fall League. Esmerlyn Valdez and Tony Blanco Jr. led the way, each launching home runs into the desert night in Salt River's 12-11 heartbreaking loss. Use Promo Code NS9 for 30% off your first order at https://www.gritily.com Use Promo Code NORTHSHORENINE for $20 off your first order at https://www.seatgeek.com LIKE and SUBSCRIBE with NOTIFI...

Pirates power prospect Tony Blanco Jr. joins North Shore Nine to talk about his journey through the minors, his elite raw power, and his goals heading into 2026. At just 20 years old, Blanco Jr. already boasts some of the hardest exit velocities in professional baseball—and he’s just scratching the surface. In this conversation, he opens up about battling injuries, learning to balance power and co...

Former Pirates catcher and current SportsNet Pittsburgh analyst Michael “Fort” McKenry joins the guys to break down the Pirates’ catching situation heading into 2026. The crew debates Henry Davis vs. Joey Bart vs. Rafael Flores, talks about whether defense or offense matters more behind the plate, and gets Fort’s firsthand perspective on what makes a good catcher in today’s game. They also discuss...

Pirates slugger Esmerlyn Valdez joins North Shore Nine fresh off an incredible 2025 season that saw him named South Atlantic League MVP and selected to the Futures Game. Valdez talks about his breakout power surge, hitting 26 home runs between Greensboro and Altoona, what clicked for him at the plate, and how it felt to represent the Pirates among the game’s top prospects. We also dive into his ap...

Pirates right-hander Josh Loeschorn joins North Shore Nine for a brand new Get to Know episode! A 2022 20th-round pick out of Long Island University, Loeschorn opens up about his incredible journey through college ball, the Frontier League, and his long comeback from back surgery that sidelined him for all of 2024. Josh dives deep into his LIU career, what draft day was like, and how his computer...

The NLCS kicks off tomorrow and October baseball is heating up — but in Pittsburgh, the biggest question isn’t about the playoffs, it’s about Oneil Cruz. On today’s Bucco Brew, we talk through what the Pirates should do with Cruz moving forward, plus Matt Hague staying with the staff and updates from the Arizona Fall League. Presented by De Fer Coffee & Tea. 🎧 Watch, comment, and subscribe fo...

Former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman John Nogowski joins Nathan to relive his unforgettable run in the summer of 2021 — from the wild trade that sent him from St. Louis to Pittsburgh, to becoming an instant fan favorite as “Big Nogowski.” Nogowski opens up about his path through indie ball and the minors, his mentality after being DFA’d, the famous Marcus Stroman confrontation, and why he’ll al...

Pirates outfield prospect Will Taylor joins North Shore Nine for a brand new Get to Know episode! A 2024 fifth-round pick out of Clemson, Taylor dives into his incredible journey from two-sport ACC standout to his first full season of pro ball. Will opens up about what it was like playing both football and baseball at Clemson, being roommates with Bubba Chandler during the draft, and now reuniting...

Pirates lefty prospect Dominic Perachi joins North Shore Nine to talk about his journey from Division III Salve Regina University to professional baseball, his recovery from injury, and his impressive finish to the 2025 season. We dive into his crafty lefty approach, how he uses deception and movement to attack hitters, and what he’s hoping to accomplish in the Arizona Fall League after a strong r...

MLB Trade Rumors just dropped their projected 2026 arbitration figures, and there are some tough decisions ahead for Ben Cherington and the Pirates’ front office. From Joey Bart’s $2.7M projection to Oneil Cruz’s $3.6M, the numbers tell a story about who’s earned a raise — and who might be on the bubble. On this episode of North Shore Nine LIVE, we’re breaking down every name, debating who should...