Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects 2022 in Review: Matt Gorski

Prior to getting hurt Matt Gorksi was one of the best power hitters not just in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, but in all of minor league baseball this past season

One of the best power hitters in all of minor league baseball during the 2022 season was an underrated Pittsburgh Pirates prospect. Unfortunately, it was a season that was derailed due to injury.

Outfielder Matt Gorski burst onto the scene with his power during the 2022 minor league season. Through the month of June, Gorksi was one of the best power hitters in all of minor league baseball as he had already hit 22 home runs through the month of June.

Gorski started the season with High-A Greensboro and racked for the Grasshoppers. In 146 plate appearances for the Grasshoppers the right-handed hitting Gorksi hit for a .294/.377/.754 slash line. Gorski hit 17 home runs with Greensboro, to go with an isolated slugging (ISO) of .460 and an 11.6% walk rate.

This led to Gorski earning a promotion to the Double-A level. With the Altoona Curve, Gorski got off to a hot start. In Gorse’s first 30 games with the Curve he hit for a .294/.374/.560 slash line, with a .266 ISO, 152 wRC+, 10.5% walk rate, and an extra base hit rate of 12.1% in 124 PAs.

Gorksi then suffered an injury that would keep him out of action until late August. In his first game back with the Curve he did what he does best and hit a home run. In 13 games with the Curve post-injury Gorski hit for a .204/.264/.286 slash line, just a 5.2% walk rate, and a strikeout rate over 30%.

While Gorski was struggling, just getting him back into game action before the end of the season was a big plus. He also earned his first promotion to the Triple-A level. However, after just two PAs with the Indianapolis Indians Gorski suffered another that would keep him out for the remained of the season.

A strong breakout season from Gorski probably should not have come as a total and complete surprise. Gorski was a high draft pick in 2019 when the Pirates selected him with the 57th overall pick in the draft. While he had struggled in his professional career prior to this past season, he was still a high draft pick for a reason.

Entering the offseason the Pirates will face a decision with Gorski. He is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft which means he must be added to the 40-man roster or else he will be exposed to the other 29 teams in next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

It would be a surprise if the Pittsburgh Pirates do not add Gorski to the 40-man roster this offseason. Even though Gorski has just two plate appearances above the Double-A level, with his power potential a team would likely gamble on him in the Rule 5 Draft. Assuming Gorski is added to the 40-man roster this offseason he will be in a great position to make his major league debut at some point, potentially even early, in the 2023 season.