Stallings Seeks Shot Behind The Plate

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) – Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings finds himself with a chance to be in the starting lineup on opening day for the first time in his career. Stallings arrived at spring training as the team’s most experienced catcher after the club parted ways with Francisco Cervelli and Elias Diaz in 2019. Stallings has drawn raves from the team’s pitching staff for his attention to detail. New manager Derek Shelton called the 30-year-old Stallings’ perseverance during his slow climb through the organization a testament to his character. Stallings says he’s not getting ahead of himself and that he’s simply trying to take another step forward in 2020.