8-1-2025 – By Ethan Smith – @mvp_EtHaN on X
Well, the 2025 trade deadline has come and gone, and the Pittsburgh Pirates look much different than they did just 24 hours ago.
Ke’Bryan Hayes, Bailey Falter, Caleb Ferguson, David Bednar, Adam Frazier and technically Taylor Rogers are all out of the Pirates organization, while a slew of prospects will enter the Pirates farm system throughout the next few days.
With the off day during the busy Thursday trade deadline, the Pirates are back in action this weekend in Denver, facing off with the Colorado Rockies.
Pittsburgh enters this series as winners of seven of their past eight games, including an impressive series sweep over the San Francisco Giants earlier this week. Meanwhile, Colorado, who’s season is hard to describe as anything but dreadful, is coming off of a series loss to the Cleveland Guardians, despite being winners of two of their previous three series before that.
This is the first time that the Pirates and Rockies will meet this season, with the second series coming later this month.
Welcome to August and post-trade deadline Pirates baseball everyone.
08/01
Pirates: LHP Andrew Heaney: 5-9, 4.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 107.0 IP, 101 H, 78 K, 35 BB, 20 HR
Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela: 4-14, 6.68 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 102.1 IP, 152 H, 55 K, 36 BB, 18 HR
08/02
Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes: 6-8, 1.83 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 133.0 IP, 88 H, 146 K, 32 BB, 6 HR
Rockies: LHP Austin Gomber: 0-5, 6.28 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 38.2 IP, 54 H, 22 K, 10 BB, 8 HR
08/03
Pirates: RHP Mitch Keller: 4-10, 3.69 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 127.0 IP, 120 H, 100 K, 33 BB, 10 HR
Rockies: RHP Bradley Blalock: 1-2, 7.09 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 33.0 IP, 47 H, 16 K, 7 BB, 6 HR
Pirates: Tommy Pham
Its a wonder as to why Tommy Pham, who’s contract expires following the 2025 season, wasn’t dealt prior to the trade deadline. Nevertheless, Pham has been piping hot at the plate as of late, posting a .404/.456/.615 slash with one home run and five RBIs in his last 15 games.
Pham played in two games in the Giants series, collecting five hits in eight at-bats, tallying an RBI and a walk as well.
July has been a hot month for Pham, as evidence by his 1.043 OPS, and in a hitter’s friendly ballpark, Pham has a prime opportunity to continue his hot streak at the plate in high elevation.
Rockies: Jordan Beck
There hasn’t been many bright spots in 2025 for the Rockies, but one bright spot has been the play of Jordan Beck, who’s made himself an everyday player in Colorado this season.
Beck currently has a .785 OPS on the season with 12 homers and 36 RBIs, and he’s been impressive over his last 15 games, posting a .327/.393/.491 slash with two home runs and five RBIs in that span.
Beck is also coming off of a series versus Cleveland that saw three hits and one home run in 10 at-bats, and with an .801 OPS mark in July, Beck could continue to have success at the plate with this series being in Denver despite a strong Pirates starting rotation.
Pirates: Nick Gonzales
Nick Gonzales has been getting plenty of action at second base this year, despite injuries getting in the way.
A .708 OPS on the season warrants intrigue, but his play as of late has not, as Gonzales has posted a .197/.258/.279 slash in his past 15 games, and he’s only recorded four RBIs in that span.
Gonzales did have hits in all three games versus the Giants, so things appear to be on the uptick, but he’ll need another solid series versus Colorado to continue an upward climb towards further developing into an above average bat.
Rockies: Michael Toglia
Michael Toglia has long been a young piece that the Rockies have hoped would transform into an above-average MLB player, but in 2025, that hasn’t happened.
Toglia has a .622 OPS this year with just 11 home runs, and his play as of late hasn’t been much better, seeing Toglia post a .193/.254/.385 slash in his past 30 games.
His July numbers aren’t good either, with a .571 OPS as evidence, and although Toglia will see a left-hander in Andrew Heaney, the side he hits much better against, his struggles don’t suggest any uptick in his play at the plate anytime soon.
Pirates: Ryan Borucki(15-day IL), Chase Shugart(15-day IL), Justin Lawrence(60-day IL)
Rockies: Kris Bryant(60-day IL), Zach Agnos(15-day IL), German Marquez(15-day IL), Case Williams(60-day IL)
Notes
- Pittsburgh leads the all-time series versus Colorado 122-112
- Colorado has not won the season series versus Pittsburgh since 2021
- Pittsburgh won their last meeting on June 16, 2024 with a score of 8-2
- Notable players to play for both Pittsburgh and Colorado include Denny Neagle, Justin Morneau, Clint Barmes, Tyler Anderson and Corey Dickerson, with Connor Joe, Jacob Stallings and Nick Mears being recent members of both teams
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