Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Player to Watch at Each Level in 2022

Triple-A: Pitcher Trey McGough

Trey McGough was a late-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates and a local product hailing from Johnstown, PA. The southpaw was selected in the 24th round of the 2019 draft, and McGough put up quality results between High-A and Double-A in 2021. McGough might not be among the Pirates’ most talented MLB-ready or near MLB-ready arms, but if he ends up being a useable major league lefty, then he could be a good diamond in the rough pick.

In 113 total innings, McGough had a 3.19 ERA, 3.57 FIP, and 1.12 WHIP. McGough only had a 19.7% strikeout rate, but his 5.5% walk rate led all Pirate minor league pitchers with at least ten starts. He also only surrendered eight home runs for a .64 HR/9. McGough’s 48.8% ground ball rate helped him keep a low home run rate. Plus, with a 14.5% line-drive rate, he held opponents to a batting average on balls in play of .279.

McGough is a control/command pitcher with a fastball that only comes in around 90-92 MPH. He will toss a curveball and changeup to go with his fastball. While none of his offerings jump off the page, his increasingly improving command might just be enough for him to face major league batters.

If the Pirates could get a Jeff Locke type pitcher out of McGough, they would have made very good use of that 24th round pick. There are some similarities between the two. Both are southpaws whose fastball only hits around 92 MPH while also utilizing a changeup and curveball. Both mostly had to rely on their ability to locate rather than overpower the batter.