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Pirates Prospects Daily: Rough Opening Weekend Throughout The System

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We are one weekend into the season, and let’s just say things could have definitely gone better, both in the majors and at the Triple-A level.

The Major League team lost two of three games against the Cincinnati Reds, while the Triple-A team not only was swept, but allowed 28 total runs in just three games played.

Baseball is a long season, where there are going to be a lot of ups and downs. There are going to be weekends like this, which could immediately turn into things going the other way around.

The hope is, by time it is all said and done, you have more of those good days than bad days, and that people are improving throughout the season.

So, while it would be easy to get worked up, especially with how the last couple of seasons have gone, let things play out first.

Mike Burrows Solid, Not Spectacular

Sometimes, a win is just a win, right? It certainly won’t show up on the highlight reel, but Burrows got the job done for five innings and put himself in position to get the win. The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and his potential win was thrown out the window.

It’s early in the season, and pitchers are still getting stretched out and comfortable, but it certainly wasn’t the same Burrows we’ve come to expect. He forced his way into quite a few full counts, and stuff wasn’t quite up to his usual level.

His fastball is usually sits in the mid-90s and while he was up there at times, he was also all the way down to 91-92 at times as well. Not being able to get hitters to chase the curve and miss on the fastball led to Burrows just getting one strikeout across the five innings.

One start, one outing, but a decrease in velocity is always something to monitor going forward.

Mark Mathias Big Weekend

Acquired in the middle of Spring Training, Mathias was seemingly brought in potentially light a fire on the stagnant middle infielder picture. While he didn’t make the original Opening Day roster, that still seems to be the case.

Mathias played all three games over the weekend, played three different positions. He picked up seven hits, nearly double the next in line for Indianapolis.

He has some offensive upside, as he posted a .940 OPS and 149 wRC+ in 58 games in Triple-A last year. Playing in another 28 games in the majors, he put up similar impressive numbers (138 wRC+, .847 OPS). 

You don’t want to leave any stone unturned with the players currently on the major league roster, but it will be interesting what kind of opportunity Mathias gets with the Pirates.

Pirates Prospects Daily

By John Dreker

The Pirates are at Fenway Park tonight to take on the Boston Red Sox. Game time is 7:10 PM. Johan Oviedo will be on the mound. The lineups will be posted below once they become available. Indianapolis is off today.

**Pirates Recap: Home Runs Help the Reds to a Series Win

**Prospect Watch: Mike Burrows is Strong in Season Debut; Nick Gonzales Homers

**Pirates Claim Pitcher Edwin Uceta from Detroit Tigers; Brubaker to the 60-Day IL Pirates bring in a new arm

**Pirates DVR: Travis Swaggerty Double, Miguel Andujar RBI, Mark Mathias Hit

**Pirates Prospects Daily: Struggles Continue In Game Two For Indianapolis Indians

Song of the Day

Lineups

Anthony Murphy
Anthony Murphy
Anthony began writing over 10 years ago, starting a personal blog to cover the 2011 MLB draft, where the Pirates selected first overall. After bouncing around many websites covering hockey, he refocused his attention to baseball, his first love when it comes to sports. He eventually found himself here at Pirates Prospects in late 2021, where he covers the team’s four full season minor league affiliates.

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