Three observations from the Pirates' 8-2 win over the Orioles here today: 

• With Konnor Griffin in competition for a roster spot out of camp, Nick Gonzales needs to hit this spring -- and this season in general -- if he wants a regular starting role. No way around that. There's reasonable concerns about his fielding, but his hitting took a step in the wrong direction last year, too. He hit a respectable .260, but his on-base, slugging and OPS numbers were all worse than his 2024 showing. Today, Gonzales walked once and struck out twice. The second time around, he struggled with pitch recognition. All three pitches he saw were out of the zone. One was a rather unfair called strike, another was fouled off and he swung through a cutter well out of the zone for strike three. Gonzales has shown glimpses of being a solid big-league hitter in the past. This was day No. 1 of spring games, so there's plenty of time for him to prove himself, something he's also done in the past. But he does need to have better days ahead. 

• There's no question the Pirates need to be a better collective hitting group this season. But mixing in the same plate discipline that helped them log the 10th-most walks (530) in Major League Baseball last season would help, too. Have to have a balanced approach. Today, they scored two early runs thanks in part to three straight walks. Guys battling and looking for good pitches to hit, but not forcing the issue. 

• Griffin struck out in his first two spring at-bats today, but no need to panic, folks. The kid is good. He'll learn from every experience. And, to be honest, it was nice to see him up there swinging the bat and looking to make things happen. Won't learn anything just sitting there with the bat on his shoulder.