Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Gage Hinsz has Heart Surgery

The Pittsburgh Pirates saw one of their former draft picks undergo surgery last week.  Gage Hinsz had to receive open heart surgery.

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Pirates invested a 11th round draft pick in a big right-handed pitcher from Montana.  Gage Hinsz was considered one of the better prep arms available in the 2014 draft.  However, he slid down the board because he was pitching in Montana, a state that has a short season and is not heavily scouted.  Still, teams liked his projectability with a fastball in the low 90s and a large frame standing at 6’4”. He was an Oregon State commit, but he decided to pass on college for a $580,000 dollar signing bonus.  That deal was $480,000 dollars over the $100,000 bonus for picks after the 10th round.  So obviously, the Pittsburgh Pirates liked what they saw in him.

He has been pitching in the organization since being drafted.  He has put up relatively decent numbers, good enough numbers that has kept him in the conversation as a top 30 prospect.  However, for reasons unknown, he was not pitching this season.  Well now it has become clear why he has not.  According to John Dreker of Pirates Prospects, Hinsz received open heart surgery on May 8th.  Here are some details from the site: (for the full article click here)

"“Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Gage Hinsz had successful open heart surgery on May 8th to repair a failed heart valve in order to avoid replacing it in the future. The surgery takes at least 2-3 months for full recovery and as of right now, he is expected to return to baseball next spring.”"

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Obviously this is sad news to hear.  Hinsz is just 22 years of age and it is rare to hear about people that young requiring such a surgery.  Hopefully he can recover and at least get back feeling like himself as that should come first, then worrying about baseball after.  It has been somewhat of an odd year for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  On May 8th of last year it was announced that pitcher Jameson Taillon needed surgery due to Testicular Cancer.  What an odd coincidence that such young ball players received serious surgeries on the same date a year apart.  Hopefully Hinsz can recover like Taillon has thus far.

Furthermore there is a Go Fund Me Page for Hinsz.  Being it was a non-baseball related injury the Pittsburgh Pirates are not covering the medical cost for the surgery.  Here is a link to the page to help support Hinsz’ medical costs and recovery: Support for Hinsz