Pittsburgh Pirates: Bligh Madris Off to a Strong Start at Triple-A

Outfield prospect Bligh Madris is off to a strong start at the Triple-A level since being promoted from Double-A Altoona by the Pittsburgh Pirates

In the 9th round of the 2017 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Bligh Madris. The let-handed hitting Madris, a friend of the Rum Bunter Podcast, has long been an under-the-radar Pirate prospect. Now he is closing in on his MLB debut.

Madris started the 2021 season with the Double-A Altoona Curve. 25 games into the season he was promoted to the Triple-A level. Despite Madris struggling at the Double-A level, this promotion came after Travis Swaggerty was placed on the injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis.

With Swaggerty on the IL it presented opportunity for Madris. Thus far, Madris has taken advantage of the opportunity the Pittsburgh Pirates have given him. This could have him on the doorstep of the Majors.

Entering play on Tuesday, Madris was hitting for a .333/.421/.458 slash line at the Triple-A level. This included a 14.0% walk rate, 19.3% strikeout rate, 142 wRC+, 1 home run and 3 doubles. Madris also drove in 8 runs in his first 6 games with the Indianapolis Indians.

The strong start with the Indians continued for Madris on Tuesday night. In the 6-1 Indy victory, Madris was 1-for-4. While he had just a single hit in the victory this lone hit was his first triple at the Triple-A level. Madris also drove in a pair of runs, giving him 10 RBI since being promoted to Triple-A.

One area Madris could look to improve at Triple-A is his ground ball rate. He is hitting the ball on the ground at a 48.6% rate since being promoted to the Triple-A level. While with Double-A Altoona Madris had a ground ball rate of just 31.6% which was the lowest ground ball rate of his professional career. If Madris can drop his ground ball rate while maintaining a strong line drive rate (22.6% this season) he will continue to find success at the plate.

Madris is now on the doorstep of the Major League level. This is exemplified by his strong performance at the Triple-A level thus far, as well as the struggles of the Pirate outfield thus far in 2021.

If Madris continues to perform well for Indianapolis it is certainly a possibility he could make his MLB debut this season. Madris has the tools needed to be a quality left-handed power bat/fourth outfielder in the Majors and that is something Pirate fans may see sooner rather than later.