Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Matt Gorski Could Add Power for the Bucs

Could Matt Gorski be on the brink of adding some power to the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup?

Matt Gorski, since being selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, has been an intriguing power hitter in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. Gorski spent three seasons with the Big Ten's Indiana, ending his college career as one of the best players on the team in 2019 with a .271 average, along with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 55 games.

In his shortened 2019 campaign, he played in 49 games but struggled, only hitting 3 home runs and recording 22 RBIs, along with a .224 average. While the 2020 season was canceled for the Minor Leagues, forcing him to miss progression time, but he didn't miss a beat in 2021.

With the Greensboro Grasshoppers in 2021, Gorski played in 95 games and slugged 17 home runs along with 56 RBIs. While his batting average struggled at .224, it was to be expected after not playing pro-ball for a year.

The 2022 season was a strong one for Gorski. Playing at Low-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, after playing 37 games with Greensboro, he smashed 17 home runs and registered 37 RBIs alongside a .294 average and .377 on-base percentage, prompting a call-up to Double-A.

Gorski played 30 games at Double-A, hitting 6 home runs and driving in 23 runs while batting .294 with an on-base of .374 before suffering a quadriceps injury and getting put on the 60-day Injured List.

In 5 rehab games at Bradenton, he struggled with a .177 average, recording 3 hits, one of which was a solo home run. He received a call-back to Double-A but struggled again in 8 games, hitting no home runs and driving in 5 runs alongside a .219 average. He ended his season playing one game at Triple-A, going 1-2 with a strikeout and stolen base.

After finishing in Triple-A, it was saddening to see him have to start back at Double-A in 2023. In 94 games, he struggled average-wise but didn't lose any power, hitting 17 home runs and driving in 54 runs alongside 27 walks. His on-base percentage was .298 with an average of .240.

In 4 games since getting called-up to Triple-A, he has gone 6-15 with no home runs or RBIs but has a .400 average. It's likely he could start the 2024 season in Triple-A, but with any injuries to players or if he gets hot, it would be likely for him to receive an MLB call-up.