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Pittsburgh Pirates: Things That Need to Happen in Second Half
By Marty Leap
Mike Burrows making his MLB debut
Last September, we saw Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras get a cup of coffee with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final series of the season. This September, Mike Burrows needs to have something similar happen. Although, getting Burrows more than one start would not be a bad idea.
Burrows is a spin rate darling who continues to climb prospect boards. The 22-year-old righty started the season at Double-A Altoona, but earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis after posting a 2.94 ERA, 2.75 FIP and a 32.4% strikeout rate in 12 starts for Altoona.
With Indianapolis, Burrows has struggled some. In 5 outings, 4 starts, he’s posted a 6.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched. However, he is being hurt by a .393 batting average on balls in play. For reference, league average is .300.
Burrows has walked just 1.3% of batters faced while striking out 24.7% at the Triple-A level. He’s allowed just one home run. Once Burrows’s BAbip evens out, his ERA will drop drastically and be closer to the 2.25 FIP he has posted with Indy.
Seeing Burrows make his MLB debut late this season would be great for the Pittsburgh Pirates. By this time next summer he should be teaming up with Roansy Contreras to give the Pirates a terrific one-two punch in their starting rotation. Let’s hope he gets to face MLB hitters for the first time before this season ends.