Pirates Have Two Representatives in MLB’s Futures Games

MLB has just announced their full rosters for the 2023 Futures Game on July 8 in Seattle, Washington. The Pittsburgh Pirates will have two representatives this year.

Right-handed pitcher J.P. Massey and catcher Endy Rodriguez will represent the black and gold.

Massey is a classic example of “never trust college stats as the end all be all,” for a pitcher. Massey, while at the University of Minnesota, had an ERA of 6.70 while in college.

In 54.1 innings combined between Low-A and High-A, Massey has accumulated an ERA of 2.98 with 61 strikeouts and 28 walks. Massey’s arsenal consists of a four-seam, sinker, curveball, and slider.

Rodriguez has had a bit of a down year in Triple-A with a slash line of .248/.332/.389 with a wOBA of .327 and a wRC+ of 82. (The average is 100).

As of late, Rodriguez has started to hit the ball harder and has put together his best month so far in June. As it stands right now, Rodriguez is slashing .271/.337/.377 with an OPS of .713 and has driven in a month-high 17 base runners.

Everyone should tune in on July 8 to see these two young and bright prospects.