Diving deeper into the Pittsburgh Pirates' hardest throwing pitching prospects

Gavin Adams

The Bucs took right-hander Gavin Adams in the eighth round of the 2024 draft. Adams did not pitch during Florida State's 2024 season, as he underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the start of the year. Still, Adams was one of the top JUCO transfers in the country, giving him an interesting background, and if there's one thing for certain about Adams, it's that he has the stuff to be a potential future high-leverage reliever.

While active, Adams was touching 101 MPH with his fastball, according to Baseball America. Along with a flaming four-seamer, Adams mixes in an upper-80s slider that flashed solid potential, along with a changeup with similar velocity. His ability to hit the strike zone consistently remains a question, as he handed out 19 walks in 26.1 innings last year prior to transferring to FSU.

Adams should return sometime next season. The Pirates have done well in recent seasons helping young flamethrowers harness their electric stuff. Jared Jones is one example, as are Kyle Nicolas, Luis Ortiz, and Dennis Santana, as well as another young, MLB-ready arm that will be discussed later. Hopefully, Adams will join them by the end of next season.

David Matoma

Mateo isn't the only 2022-2023 international signing that appears on today's list. The second former international signing is Ugandan right-hander David Matoma. Matoma is arguably the Pirates' best relief pitching prospect and should get an extended look sometime next year for Bradenton.

Matoma pitched 22 innings for the Pirates' Florida Complex League affiliate team in 2024, working to an 0.82 ERA, 3.01 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP. He went on to strikeout just a touch over 30% of his opponents with a 30.4% strikeout rate. He had some other solid peripherals, including an 0.41 HR/9 rate, as well as a 9.8% walk rate.

Unlike his fellow international signee Mateo, Matoma has displayed better command thus far in his pro career. He also throws nearly as hard. Matoma sits in the upper 90s with his fastball and tops out at 100 MPH. He has also flashed a solid slider. His third pitch is a changeup.

Matoma has a 6-foot/155-pound projectable frame, and he is only 18 years old. There's still a lot of time for Matoma to develop more strength. Right now, Matoma projects as a potential high-octane reliever. It might not be out of the question he could start, but at the very least, he is someone the Pirates might find closing games for them in the near future.