The Pirates take a 5-game win streak to Colorado to face the Rockies on Aug 1. After a silent trade deadline, can Andrew Heaney lead the Bucs to another win?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For the first time in what feels like ages, there's a palpable buzz around the Pittsburgh Pirates. Riding a season-high five-game winning streak, the Buccos head into Coors Field with a swagger we haven't seen all year. But as the bats have come alive, the front office stayed silent, letting the August 1st trade deadline pass without a single major move. It's a clear message: the team that's here is the team that will finish the season, for better or for worse.
Over the past month, outfield prospect Edward Florentino has slashed .296/.426/.617 with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases.
The good times are rolling, and the Pirates have a prime opportunity to keep them going. Tonight's series opener at Coors Field pits them against the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies (28-80). While the thin mountain air can be an equalizer, the pitching matchup heavily favors the Bucs. Pittsburgh's Andrew Heaney (5-9, 4.79 ERA) takes the mound against Antonio Senzatela, who has struggled to a 4-14 record with a 6.68 ERA. For a Pirates offense that has finally found its rhythm, this is a chance to put up some crooked numbers and extend the win streak to a season-best six games.
While fans might have been looking for a deadline splash, the front office opted for stability. No major trades, signings, or releases were announced, meaning the current roster will get a two-month runway to close out the season. This is a significant vote of confidence in the group that has rattled off five straight wins, and it keeps key players like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in black and gold. The message from management is clear: they believe the answer lies with the players already in the organization, both in the majors and the minors.
If the quiet deadline was a bet on the future, the farm system shows it's a good one. The headliner is outfielder Edward Florentino, the newly crowned Hottest Hitting Prospect for August. The No. 6 prospect has been on an absolute tear, posting a 1.017 OPS and a 176 wRC+ for the season. He's not alone, either. The system is loaded with high-ceiling talent like RHP Bubba Chandler and his 98 mph fastball in Triple-A, uber-athletic shortstop Konnor Griffin, and recently promoted infielder Termarr Johnson. With Nick Yorke having already made his MLB debut, the next wave of talent is getting closer every day.
As the Pirates look to make it six straight against the Rockies, the path for the rest of 2025 is set. It's not about a surprise playoff push, but about growth, chemistry, and seeing if this five-game streak is a flash in the pan or the start of something more sustainable. With a quiet deadline in the rearview and a farm system brimming with talent, the final two months are an audition for 2026. Let's see who's ready to seize the opportunity.
