Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Potential 2022 Rotation at Double-A Altoona

Michael Burrows

Michael Burrows and Priester shared the rotation in 2021 at Greensboro, and they’ll look to do the same at Double-A Altoona in 2022. While the right-hander only pitched 49 innings, he threw 49 excellent innings for the Grasshoppers. Some sites, namely Baseball America, love Burrows and think he can be one of the Pirates’ best pitching prospects.

Based on the numbers, it’s easy to see why. Burrows pitched to the tune of a 2.20 ERA, 3.28 FIP, and 0.90 WHIP. Burrows struck out well over a third of all the batters he faced with a 34.2% strikeout rate while only allowing three home runs. The right-hander’s glaring weakness was walks, which he gave up at a 10.4% rate. There was some luck working in Burrows’ favor as he had a .208 batting average on balls in play, 29.7% GB%, 6% FB/HR ratio, and 4.36 xFIP, but he has shown the ability before to get ground balls and post solid underlying numbers in the past.

The question remains whether or not he can remain a starting pitcher long-term. Burrows has two offerings, with the first being his fastball. Burrows saw an uptick in velo last year and worked in the mid-’90s. But the velocity isn’t what makes his fastball special. It’s the spin.

Before his velo increase, Burrows averaged out around 2550 RPM. If his velocity is absolute and his spin increased with the velo, then he has a real 60-70 grade offering on his hands. Then there’s his curveball. FanGraphs already has this as a projected 60-grade offering. Like his fastball, his curve has some of the most spin in the minor leagues, sitting around 2800 RPM.

The issue is that’s pretty much it for Burrows. He throws a changeup from time to time, but it’s a below-average third offering. If he can develop the pitch, he might be one of the Pirates’ most underrated pitching prospects. However, until that happens, he has a relief pitcher outlook.

Still, his change-up doesn’t need to be Devin Williams good, and just good enough that it’s a viable third pitch he can use. With two offerings in the plus-plus to elite territory, he has the stuff to be an excellent pitcher, whether that be as a starter or reliever. Double-A (and eventually Triple-A) will test Burrows if he can remain as a starter long-term.