The All-Star break gave Pirates fans a lot to chew on — from Oneil Cruz’s 513-foot bomb in the Home Run Derby to Paul Skenes dominating the first inning of the Midsummer Classic. Cruz tied for first in the opening round before falling in the semis, while Skenes went 1-2-3 with two strikeouts in a perfect debut on the national stage. We also break down the new Home Run Derby swing-off format and whether MLB should expand it beyond the All-Star Game.

But the break wasn’t just about spectacle — it also marked the beginning of trade season. The first domino has officially fallen, with Adam Frazier being dealt to the Royals in exchange for Triple-A shortstop Cam Devanney. Could this signal more moves to come?

We also dive into the Pirates’ 2025 MLB Draft haul, headlined by high-upside righty Seth Hernandez at No. 6 overall. We cover key Day 1 picks like Angel Cervantes and Murf Gray, plus some of our favorite Day 2 names. Does this class reflect a shift in draft strategy, and how do these players fit into the system?

Finally, we preview the upcoming White Sox series as the Pirates return to action and gear up for what could be a pivotal few weeks before the trade deadline.

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