Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: 3 Players to Watch at Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have multiple prospects that fans should be keeping an eye on at the Triple-A level in 2022, including these three players

Regardless of what shakes out with MLB’s work stoppage there should be a minor league season in 2022. This will lead to prospects that fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates should be keeping an eye on and watching throughout the season.

At the Triple-A level the Pirates will have multiple players looking for big 2022 seasons. With big seasons in 2022, these players could position themselves for a MLB debut later in the season, assuming a MLB season is played.

Today we will take a look at three prospects fans should be keeping an eye on at the Triple-A level in 2022. These three players should be in position to have a big season with Indy in 2022 and to be in position to make their MLB debut during the season as well.

First baseman Mason Martin

Another Rule 5 Draft eligible player, Mason Martin has as much power potential as just about any prospect in all of baseball. Like Mitchell, Martin is a player who spent the majority of the 2021 season with Altoona before making his Triple-A debut in September.

Martin’s best tool is, and always has been, his power. FanGraphs gives his raw power a FV of 70 and his game power a FV of 45. Martin slugged .481 to go with an isolated slugging (ISO) of .239 in 471 PAs for Altoona last season. He slugged 22 home runs and collected a total of 53 extra base hits.

In 8 games played at the Triple-A level last September, Martin accumulated 27 PAs in which he flashed his power. Martin hit for a .240/.296/.600 slash line and a 131 wRC+. He hit 3 home runs with the Indians, but struck out 10 times in 27 PAs for a 37.0% strikeout rate.

The long-term outlook at first continues to be a mystery for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This gives Martin every opportunity I the world to seize a spot and run with it. A strong showing at the Triple-A level in 2022 would go a long way toward this for the left-handed hitting power hitter. To do this, however, Martin will have to improve his swing-and-miss numbers that have always plagued him I the minors, leading to a career strikeout rate over 30%.

Outfielder Bligh Madris

Bligh Madris is another player who has the potential to be a strong fourth outfielder in the majors.  The left-handed hitter spent the majority of the 2021 season at the Triple-A level and put up overall strong numbers for the Indians.

In 385 PAs across 104 games played at Indy, Madris hit for a .272/.352/.434 slash line to go with a 111 wRC+. He hit 9 home runs, collected 35 extra base hits, walked in 10.4% trips to the plate, and stuck out just 18.4% of time which is better than league average.

Even if the Major League season starts on time the soon to be 26-year-old Madris will likely start the 2022 season at Triple-A. However, as was mentioned with Mitchell, the Pirates have plenty of outfield questions ahead of 2022 which could open the door for Madris at some point.

Madris has always produced in the minors. Despite this he continues to be an overlooked player in the Pirate farm system. 2022 could be the year that Madris finally makes his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.