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This Pirates rookie will be next to make MLB debut before season ends
At the start of the 2023 season, Mike Burrows was regarded as one of the Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospects and appeared to be on the precipice of breaking through to the major leagues.
That season didn't go as planned, however, as Burrows underwent Tommy John surgery in April after just two starts with Triple-A Indianapolis, sidelining him for the rest of 2023 and part of 2024. He began his rehab stint in June of this year and has since worked his way from the Florida Complex League back up to Indianapolis, where he has recorded five earned runs, 14 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA in 12 1/3 innings of work.
The No. 16 prospect in the Pirates' system according to MLB Pipeline, Burrows was selected by Pittsburgh in the 11th round (No. 324 overall) in the 2018 MLB Draft. He made his Triple-A debut with Indianapolis in 2022, the same year he represented the Pirates at the All-Star Futures Game. All signs point to Burrows having a future as a starting pitcher, and he could be a solid depth option in the Pirates' starting rotation in 2025. But with MLB rosters expanding in September and the Pirates in need of reliable bullpen arms, Burrows could be one of the first pitchers they call upon down the stretch this season.
Mike Burrows could make long-awaited MLB debut out of the bullpen this season for pitching-hungry Pirates
Most pitchers returning from Tommy John are limited to four-inning starts, which has been the case with Burrows in Indianapolis this season. The Pirates will likely limit his innings for the remainder of the season, so a move to the bullpen might make the most sense for him at this juncture, even if it's only temporary.
Burrows has a strong three-pitch mix (four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup) with good command, and MLB Pipeline grades all of his primary pitches at MLB average or better. If he can get back to his pre-surgery form, which is the path he looks to be on now, he will be a solid back-of-the-rotation option for Pittsburgh moving forward.
Burrows has been on the Pirates' 40-man roster since 2022, patiently awaiting his MLB debut. With fellow pitching prospect and 2018 draft pick Braxton Ashcraft on the Triple-A Injured List, 2024 could be the year Burrows finally breaks through to the majors – even if it is as a member of the Pirates' bullpen.
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