Pittsburgh Pirates News: Triple-A Level to Play 150 Games in 2022

Minor league baseball may steal the show for at least part of the 2022 season and the Pittsburgh Pirates now know how many games the Triple-A level will play

It remains to be seen what will happen with Major League Baseball in 2022. Right now, things are not looking promising for the Pittsburgh Pirates or any other MLB team to report to spring training any time soon.

The latest CBA talks between the MLB Players Associations and Major League Baseball have not been going well. After there was some signs for optimism a few weeks ago with talks re-igniting and offers/counter offers being made, talks have now seemingly stalled.

MLB has asked for a federal mediator in negotiations. However, this comes despite MLB having not even made a counteroffer to the MLBPA’s latest offer. Fun times, friends, fun times!

Even if the Major League Baseball season does not start on time, the minor league baseball season should still be a go. Right now the minor league season is slated to begin on April 8th and, right now, that could prove to be the show for baseball, at least for part of the spring.

Thursday evening the plans for the Triple-A level in 2022 were announced, as teams and fans alike now know how many games will be played at the Triple-A level this season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates now know that the Indianapolis Indians will play 150 games in the upcoming 2022 season. This will present the opportunity for Pirate prospects to continue to play and develop this season, even if MLB games are lost due to the work stoppage.

Prospects who are currently on 40-man rosters will not be able to play in minor league games. This means prospects such as Roansy Contreras, Liover Peguero, Travis Swaggerty, Canaan Smith-Njigba, and Jack Suwinski will not be able to play for Indianapolis, or any other minor league affiliate during the work stoppage.

With the Triple-A level set to play 150 games this sets the table for plenty of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects to still be able to play and develop in 2022. Relievers Yerry De Los Santos, Beau Susler, and Blake Weiman, as well as starting pitchers Carmen Mlodzinski and Austin Roberts will be pitchers to watch with Indianapolis if there is a works stoppage. Mike Burrows could see time at Indianapolis as well.

As for position players, first baseman Mason Martin and outfielder Cal Mitchell would be two notable names to watch with the Indians. Friend of Rum Bunter and the Rum Bunter podcast Bligh Madris would be another intriguing player to watch.

If nothing else, at least there will be minor league baseball in 2022. Minor league baseball is a hell of a lot better than no baseball at all.