We sit down with Max Kwan, Vice President of International Scouting for the Pittsburgh Pirates, for a must-watch episode of the Bucco Bantr Podcast. Max breaks down his incredible baseball journey—from playing at Tulane and Washington, to playing minor league baseball, to becoming one of the most influential international talent evaluators in Major League Baseball.

🌎 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔥 How Max Kwan transitioned from pro player to elite international scout

🔥 The challenges of scouting and projecting talent at young ages worldwide

🔥 How the Pirates identify and develop raw international talent

🔥 Inside the state-of-the-art Dominican Republic facility that sets the standard across MLB

🔥 Key international signings from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia

🔥 Why the Pirates’ latest international signing class could be special

🔥 What’s next for Pittsburgh on the global baseball stage

🏴‍☠️ Kwan discusses his second stint with the Pirates after originally joining the organization in 2014 and his instrumental role in signing players such as Ji Hwan Bae, Tsung-Che Cheng, Jun-Seok Shim, David Matoma, Alessandro Ercolani, and Brandan Bidois.

Now, as VP of International Scouting, his mission is simple: find the next wave of Pirates talent across the globe.

👉 If you love MLB scouting, Pirates baseball, player development, or international prospects — this episode is for you.

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🔥 Popular Hashtags to Drive Viewership 🔥

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🔥 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Chris Devenski Opens Up on His MLB Journey | Bucco Bantr Podcast 🔥

The Bucco Bantr Podcast sits down with Chris Devenski, the newest pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, for an in-depth and honest conversation about his incredible MLB career and the adversity that shaped it.

From a World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, and 4th-place Rookie of the Year finisher, Devenski’s career exploded onto the scene. But baseball isn’t always linear. Chris opens up about battling injuries, navigating DFAs, and staying mentally strong through the toughest moments — all while grinding his way to 10 MLB seasons and now entering his 11th year with the Pirates organization.

⚾ In this episode, we discuss:

• Chris Devenski’s early MLB breakout

• Overcoming injuries & roster uncertainty

• Mental toughness at the highest level

• His bullpen approach and pitching mindset

• What Pirates fans can expect from him in 2025

• Advice for young players facing adversity

This is a must-watch for Pirates fans, MLB fans, and anyone interested in the mental side of professional sports.

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🏴‍☠️ BUCCO BANTR: THE ALEX STUMPF SHOW 🏴‍☠️

Alex Stumpf is BACK on Bucco Bantr—and he’s here to bring Pirates fans down a notch (all jokes aside… kind of).

In this episode of The Alex Stumpf Show, Alex breaks down the current Pittsburgh Pirates offseason landscape, starting with the Eugenio Suárez trade market and why he believes the Pirates are officially out on the power-hitting third baseman.

From there, we pivot to realistic alternatives at third base, debate internal vs. external options, and discuss what the front office might actually do as the offseason continues. We also dive into the starting rotation, where Alex believes the Pirates are far from finished—even if a splashy move isn’t coming.

⚾ In this episode, we discuss:

💣 Why the Pirates are likely out on Eugenio Suárez

📉 Reality-checking expectations for a “big” power bat

🔄 Yoán Moncada as a potential bounce-back option

🤨 Alec Bohm trade rumors—and why Alex doesn’t love the fit

🧠 Whether Jared Triolo can step up as the everyday third baseman

🔥 Internal development vs. external upgrades

🎯 Why José Quintana is the front-runner to bolster the rotation

🧩 What kind of pitching move the Pirates are likely to make

🏴‍☠️ Why the Pirates may not be done—even without a “sexy” signing

Alex offers a grounded, informed look at where the Pirates stand and what fans should realistically expect as the offseason unfolds.

👇 Join the conversation:

💬 Do you agree the Pirates are out on Eugenio Suárez?

⚾ Who should be the Opening Day third baseman?

🔥 Is José Quintana the right rotation add?

👍 LIKE the video if you enjoy honest Pirates talk

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🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts

📲 Follow Bucco Bantr for Pirates news, analysis, interviews, and debates all season long

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🔥 BUCCO BANTR PODCAST 🔥

Pirates Free Agent Ryan O’Hearn on Perseverance, Becoming an All-Star, and Choosing Pittsburgh

The Bucco Bantr Podcast sits down with new Pittsburgh Pirates free agent Ryan O’Hearn for an in-depth, honest, and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Ryan opens up about his long, winding journey through professional baseball—from being traded, designated for assignment (DFA’d), and fighting to stay in the league, to ultimately turning his career around and becoming an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2025. This interview dives deep into what it really takes to persevere when the odds are stacked against you.

⚾ In this episode, Ryan O’Hearn discusses:

🔁 His mental approach to surviving the ups and downs of pro baseball

💪 How he stayed confident through trades, DFA’s, and uncertainty

🔓 The moment things finally clicked in Baltimore

⭐ What it meant to reach the All-Star level after years of adversity

🏴‍☠️ Why he chose the Pittsburgh Pirates in free agency

🧠 How Pirates manager Don Kelly helped push the deal across the finish line

🎯 The mental side of hitting during a long MLB season

⚙️ His swing mechanics and in-season adjustments

🤝 How he works with hitting coaches to stay adaptable and keep learning

🔥 What Pirates fans can expect from him every single day

Ryan also sends a clear message to the city of Pittsburgh: you’re getting a grinder. A player who shows up every day, gives everything he has, and competes with intensity, effort, and professionalism.

This episode is a must-watch for:

🏴‍☠️ Pittsburgh Pirates fans

⚾ MLB fans interested in the mental side of the game

📈 Players and coaches looking to learn about swing adjustments and development

❤️ Anyone who loves stories of perseverance, growth, and belief

👇 If you enjoyed the interview:

👍 LIKE the video

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💬 COMMENT below: What excites you most about Ryan O’Hearn joining the Pirates?

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🎙️ NEW EPISODE | BUCCO BANTR PODCAST ⚾🔥

Another future Pittsburgh Pirate you need to know — Josh Tate.

In this episode of Bucco Bantr, we’re joined by 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick Josh Tate, a standout out of Georgia Southern whose college and pro journey is all about growth, adjustment, and earning everything the hard way.

Josh takes us inside his path through college baseball, starting with a year at the University of Georgia, followed by a pivotal transfer to Georgia Southern — a move that helped shape him into the player the Pirates believed in on draft day. We talk about the challenges of changing environments, trusting the process, and betting on yourself when the road isn’t straightforward.

We also dive into Josh’s early days in professional baseball, including:

⚾ The biggest adjustments he’s had to make since turning pro

⚾ What the Pirates organization has him focused on right now

⚾ How his game is evolving at the next level

⚾ The mindset he brings to the field every day

⚾ What Pirates fans can expect when they watch Josh Tate play

This episode is packed with insight for:

• Pittsburgh Pirates fans

• MLB Draft & prospect followers

• College baseball fans

• Players navigating transfers and development

• Anyone who loves behind-the-scenes baseball stories

Josh’s honesty, work ethic, and attention to detail stand out — and it’s easy to see why the Pirates made him a priority in the 2025 MLB Draft. Get to know Josh Tate now, before he becomes a familiar name in the Pirates system.

👇 LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Pirates interviews, prospect breakdowns, and real baseball conversations every week on Bucco Bantr.

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Adam and Chris dive into For the Love of the Game, a love to story to baseball as told by two humans that are absolutely incapable of the act of love. Billy Chapel is in the twilight of his career after 19 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, and he has to make a decision on returning to baseball, or retiring to focus on his woodworking hobby. Settle in, get your popcorn ready, and watch a movie with us that really shows you how gross and stupid every Yankee fan is when they're in public.

🚨 Pirates News, Cubs Blockbuster Moves & NL Central Shakeup | Bucco Bantr 🚨

The NL Central just got a LOT more interesting — and the Pittsburgh Pirates are right in the middle of it. 👀

In this episode of Bucco Bantr, Adam and Scott break down the latest Pirates news, massive Chicago Cubs roster moves, and what it all means for Pittsburgh heading into the season.

🔥 Topics We Cover:

⚾ Cubs trade for Edward Cabrera

⚾ Cubs sign Alex Bregman — what does it change?

⚾ Does a Pirates–Cubs trade now make sense?

⚾ Matt Shaw trade rumors — could Chicago move him after a disappointing rookie season?

⚾ Would Shaw be a realistic 3B option for the Pirates?

⚾ Could the Phillies look to move Alec Bohm?

⚾ Eugenio Suárez free agency — will Pittsburgh wait out the market?

⚾ Pirates arbitration updates (Santana, Bart, Cruz, Lawrence)

⚾ Bullpen addition Chris Devenski

⚾ Official announcement of Ryan O’Hearn

With Bregman locking down third base in Chicago, could the Cubs look to cash in on Matt Shaw for pitching? And if so… should the Pirates pounce? 🤔

Adam and Scott also debate whether the Pirates will actually spend on a third baseman or stay patient as prices fall.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• Should the Pirates trade for Matt Shaw?

• Would you rather sign Eugenio Suárez or wait?

• Are the Cubs pulling away in the NL Central?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — we reply!

👍 Like the video if you love Pirates baseball

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Come join us for some offseason baseball talk! Drop in and ask your questions LIVE on Bucco Bantr!

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