Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Who Work Stoppage Could Hurt Most

Indianapolis centerfielder Travis Swaggerty hit a leadoff home run to start the game against Iowa at Principal Park in Des Moines on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.20210504 Iowacubs
Indianapolis centerfielder Travis Swaggerty hit a leadoff home run to start the game against Iowa at Principal Park in Des Moines on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.20210504 Iowacubs /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes his Major League debut against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on September 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Right-handed pitchers Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure

Righties Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure have a lot of similarities. Both came to the Pittsburgh Pirates from the New York Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, both are among the organization’s best pitching prospects, and both pitchers battled injuries in 2021.

Contreras dominated the Double-A level before suffering an injury that cost him most of the summer. After a strong showing at Triple-A, Contreras made his MLB debut in the final series of the season pitching 3 scoreless innings.

Contreras has shot up Pirate prospect boards and has become a top 100 prospect in baseball. He will likely begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis before becoming a staple in the Pirate rotation later in the season. However, if there is a work stoppage Contreras will be unable to pitch in the minors.

The same goes for Yajure. Yajure made two strong starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates early last season. He then battled a forearm issue at Triple-A that cost him much of the season. After this injury he struggled in his September return to the majors.

While Yajure appears to be close to a lock to start the season in the Pirate starting rotation he still classifies as a prospect. Both Contreras and Yajure simply need to pitch after missing time in 2019 and having their 2020 seasons wrecked by COVID. A work stoppage would keep both off of the mound.