Back for another episode of The Alex Stumpf Show on Bucco Bantr! 🏴‍☠️⚾

After a successful weekend at PiratesFest, we cut right to the chase and dive into the Andrew McCutchen drama.

What should the Pittsburgh Pirates do with the former MVP and franchise legend? Is it time to move on, bring him back, or redefine his role? Alex Stumpf breaks it all down and gives his take.

We also explore alternative outfield options, including why Scott likes Mike Tauchman as a potential 4th outfielder who can play all three outfield positions.

Plus, we revisit the Eugenio Suárez trade market 👀

Has his value dropped enough to bring him into the Pirates’ price range? Could he be the power bat Pittsburgh needs?

💬 Let us know in the comments:

• What should the Pirates do with Andrew McCutchen?

• Would you want Mike Tauchman on this roster?

• Is Eugenio Suárez worth the move?

👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more Pirates news, rumors, and analysis all season long!

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Part 3 of our PiratesFest interview series is here — and we saved some BIG names for last 👀⚾

In this final round, Bucco Bantr sits down with Termarr Johnson, Braxton Ashcraft, and Justin Lawrence to talk development, offseason grind, and what’s ahead for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

🔥 In this episode:

⚾ Termarr Johnson breaks down his progression as a Pirates prospect, how his game has evolved, and what he’s focusing on this offseason to take the next step.

⚾ Braxton Ashcraft talks about coming off a career-high workload, pitching out of the bullpen, and ramping up to be a major piece of the Pirates’ starting rotation.

⚾ Justin Lawrence discusses being more comfortable in year two, rehabbing from injury, and his mindset heading into a strong return in 2026.

If you’re a Pirates fan, prospect junkie, or just love behind-the-scenes baseball talk, this one’s for you.

👇 Join the conversation:

• Which player are you most excited to see in 2026?

• Should Ashcraft stay stretched out as a starter?

• How high is Termarr Johnson’s ceiling?

👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it

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🎙️ Pirates 2025 Draft Pick Jack Anker Interview | Fresno State Ace Talks Journey to the Buccos

The Bucco Bantr Podcast sits down with Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 Draft Pick Jack Anker for an in-depth interview you don’t want to miss ⚾🔥

Jack Anker takes us through his blue-collar upbringing, why he chose Fresno State for college baseball, and how he became a Friday night starter and one of the most reliable arms in the country. From overcoming obstacles to hearing his name called by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jack explains why he believes he’s the right fit for the Buccos.

We also dive into:

🏴‍☠️ What it meant to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates

🤝 Seeing his teammate & former roommate Murf Gray drafted by the Pirates

⚾ A full breakdown of Jack Anker’s pitching arsenal

📈 What Pirates fans can realistically expect from the right-handed pitcher

💪 The mindset that helped Jack rise through adversity

If you’re a Pirates fan, a prospect junkie, or love MLB Draft coverage, this interview is for you.

👇 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS for more Pirates interviews, prospect breakdowns, and exclusive Buccos content!

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We sit down with Spencer Horwitz, Rafael Flores, and Isaac Mattson for three honest, in-depth conversations about their offseasons, the direction of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and how they’re preparing for the 2026 season.

🔹 Spencer Horwitz opens up about leaving his injury behind, gaining confidence, and feeling much more comfortable heading into Year 2.

🔹 Rafael Flores breaks down how catchers prepare in the offseason, the mental side of the position, and what it was really like getting traded.

🔹 Isaac Mattson dives into pitching in high-leverage situations, his mindset on the mound, and shares an absolutely hilarious fan story you don’t want to miss. 😂

If you’re a Pirates fan, love player interviews, or want a behind-the-scenes look at MLB preparation, this one’s for you.

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👉 Drop a comment and let us know which interview stood out most!

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Adam and Chris get a real major leaguer to talk about the titular movie of the podcast- Major League. It's the movie of an owner who tries her best to sabotage her team so that they relocate from Cleveland to Miami, so it's kinda hard to be mad at her. If you like voodoo, the California Penal System, rum, or international grounds crews, boy do we have a movie for you. We also got former Major Leaguer and current degenerate, Dallas Braden, to chop it up with us. So give it a listen, get your popcorn ready, and let me call you back because I got a guy on the other line about some white walls.

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We went inside PiratesFest for exclusive Bucco Bantr interviews you won’t see anywhere else 🔥 This is Part 1 of our 3-part series featuring 3 Pirates players — and it starts BIG.

⚾ In this episode:

🔹 Jared Jones opens up about his injury, recovery, and comeback mindset heading into a huge season

🔹 Jake Mangum returns to Bucco Bantr to talk his offseason, Pittsburgh fans, and his excitement to win in the ‘Burgh

🔹 Endy Rodríguez shares how he’s getting back to 100% health and why he believes this team is headed in the right direction

👀 Plus a surprise appearance from Oneil Cruz

🔥 Pirates fans — this one’s for you.

👇 DROP A COMMENT: Who are you most excited to watch this season?

👇 SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss Parts 2 & 3 of the Bucco Bantr series!

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Notifications on

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This weekend we had behind-the-scenes access at Pirates Fest, and we’re breaking it ALL down. ⚾🔥

We recap our awesome weekend at Pirates Fest, including exclusive player interviews and insider conversations that give a real look behind the curtain at what the Pirates’ offseason has been like — and what fans should expect heading into 2026.

We also dive into the Andrew McCutchen drama surrounding the team. Should the Pirates bring back the former MVP? We break down the pros and cons, what Ben Cherington had to say, and how a potential reunion could impact the roster and clubhouse.

To wrap it up, we explore realistic free agent and trade targets the Pirates could pursue:

Adam suggests Cherington revisit a familiar trade partner — Toronto — to check in on Addison Barger and Ernie Clement

Scott highlights Luis Rengifo as a potential roster upgrade that fits the Pirates’ needs

If you’re a Pirates fan, this episode is packed with insight, rumors, and future-focused discussion you won’t want to miss.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments

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We’re excited to officially announce our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania! 🙌

In this episode, we’re joined by CEO Chris Watts, who walks us through his career journey, his lifelong passion for giving back, and the incredible impact the Boys & Girls Club has across Western PA. Chris also dives into the Club’s programs, including the addition of their Sports Management Pathways Program and how they’re creating real opportunities for young people.

As part of this partnership, Bucco Bantr will be working with the Boys & Girls Club to introduce alternative pathways in the sports world — from podcasting and media to social media and content creation. This is something we’re truly passionate about, and we can’t wait to get involved and help make a difference.

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Gustavo Melendez Interview | Pirates 2025 4th Round Pick on Puerto Rico, Wake Forest & Pro Baseball

We sit down with Gustavo Melendez, the Pittsburgh Pirates 2025 4th round draft pick out of Puerto Rico, on this episode of the Bucco Bantr Podcast ⚾🔥

Gustavo breaks down his journey to professional baseball, starting with growing up and playing in Puerto Rico, navigating the challenges of getting scouted, and going through the recruitment process that led him to Wake Forest University.

We dive into:

⚾His path from Puerto Rico to professional baseball

⚾The college recruitment process and committing to Wake Forest

⚾What it was like trying to get noticed by scouts

⚾Being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates

⚾Why playing for a team connected to Roberto Clemente means so much to him

⚾His experience playing Winter Ball

⚾Adjustments he’s making during his first professional offseason

⚾What Pirates fans can expect from him on and off the field

Gustavo describes himself as a high-IQ baseball player who brings effort, passion, and commitment every single day.

🎧 If you’re a Pirates fan, love MLB draft content, or enjoy player development stories, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Subscribe to Bucco Bantr for more Pirates interviews, prospects, and insider baseball conversations

👉 Like & Comment your thoughts on Gustavo and the Pirates’ future!

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We took things ice cold in the Strip District 🧊🔥

On this episode of Freezing Cold Takes, the Bucco Bantr crew sits down with Uniontown native Caitlin O’Connor at MindFuel Method for a cold plunge interview you don’t want to miss. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Uniontown, PA, Caitlin always knew she wanted a career in entertainment—specifically as a TV host.

After heading back to LA for college, she worked her way up from unglamorous early jobs to becoming a successful actress, model, TV host, and producer.

Caitlin shares:

🎬 Her journey breaking into the entertainment industry

👑 Stories of working as a Disney princess

🌴 Why she believes Los Angeles is “dead”

🏙️ Why moving back to Pittsburgh feels like home Now living back in Pittsburgh with her fiancé Joe Manganiello, Caitlin talks about the strong sense of community she never felt in LA—and why you don’t need to move to a big city to succeed in entertainment.

🍕 Plus, Caitlin crowns Fiori’s as her favorite Pittsburgh pizza spot 🐶 And gives her dog Bubbles a cold take you’ll have to hear to believe

At MindFuel Method in the Strip District, you can enjoy a rejuvenating wellness session — think sauna, cold plunge tubs, guided breathwork, and more. Right now, you can use the promo code “FUELGOOD” at mindfuelmethod.com to claim a free session on them and experience the heat, cold, and mindset-shifting benefits firsthand. Just enter the code when booking your first visit!

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