The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant move in the final days of their 2024 season, promoting right-handed pitching prospect Mike Burrows to their active roster. This move sets the stage for Burrows to make his highly anticipated Major League Baseball (MLB) debut against the New York Yankees.
Burrows, 24, was initially added to the Pirates' taxi squad on Friday ahead of the series against the Yankees. Following this, he was officially moved to the 28-man active roster on Saturday, paving the way for his debut in one of the remaining two games of the season.
Background and Minor League Performance
Drafted by the Pirates in the 11th round (No. 324 overall) of the 2018 MLB draft, Burrows has been a notable prospect within the organization. Despite his promising career trajectory, Burrows faced a significant setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2023 after making just two starts for Triple-A Indianapolis. He began his rehab assignment in June 2024 and has since pitched across three minor league levels, including Single-A Bradenton and Triple-A Indianapolis.
In his minor league career, Burrows has compiled a 10-14 record with a 3.72 ERA over 70 appearances, 66 of which were starts. This season, he went 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA in 16 appearances across different levels. Notably, at the Triple-A level, he posted a 4.06 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 15 walks in 37.2 innings.
MLB Debut and Role
Burrows is expected to make his MLB debut in a relief role, given the Pirates' current starting rotation is already set for the series against the Yankees. The rotation includes Jared Jones, Paul Skenes, and Bailey Falter, with Burrows likely to contribute from the bullpen as the team monitors his workload during his recovery from surgery.
This appearance will be an audition for Burrows as he looks to secure a spot in the Pirates' rotation or bullpen for the 2025 season. His performance will be closely watched, especially considering his arsenal of pitches, including a riding fastball averaging 95 mph, a biting curveball, a slider, and a changeup.
Roster Moves
To make room for Burrows on the active roster, the Pirates optioned right-hander Jared Jones to the Florida Complex League. This move is largely procedural, as Jones has already completed his first full season in the MLB and will not be required to pitch again this year.
Jones had a promising rookie season, finishing with a 6-8 record and a 4.14 ERA, along with 132 strikeouts in 121.2 innings. His performance has been encouraging, despite some struggles after returning from a lat strain injury in July.
Conclusion
The promotion of Mike Burrows marks an exciting moment for the Pirates and their fans, as they get to see one of their top prospects take the mound at the MLB level. With only a few games left in the season, this debut is not just a milestone for Burrows but also a glimpse into the potential future of the Pirates' pitching staff. As the team looks ahead to the 2025 season, Burrows' performance against the Yankees will be a key indicator of his readiness to contribute at the highest level.
