New Astro Mike Burrows faces former team in spring training

Pitcher's return to Pittsburgh is 'bittersweet' after most of his draft class left the team

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:23am

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In the 2018 MLB draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected 41 players, but by 2025 only two of those draftees remained with the club. One of those players, pitcher Mike Burrows, was recently traded to the Houston Astros and will face his former team in a spring training matchup, a 'bittersweet' moment for the young hurler.

Why it matters

The high turnover rate of the Pirates' 2018 draft class highlights the challenges many MLB teams face in developing and retaining young talent. Burrows' trade to the Astros also underscores how quickly the fortunes of players and teams can change in professional baseball.

The details

Burrows, a right-handed pitcher, was a 3rd round pick by the Pirates in 2018. He spent several seasons working his way up through the team's minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2024. However, with the Pirates rebuilding, Burrows was traded to the Astros this past offseason in a move that Burrows described as 'bittersweet' given his history with the organization.

  • Burrows was selected by the Pirates in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB draft.
  • By 2025, only 2 of the 41 players the Pirates drafted in 2018 remained with the team.
  • Burrows made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2024.
  • Burrows was traded from the Pirates to the Astros this past offseason.

The players

Mike Burrows

A right-handed pitcher who was a 3rd round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and recently traded to the Houston Astros.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The MLB team that drafted Mike Burrows in 2018 but has since seen most of that draft class leave the organization.

Houston Astros

The MLB team that acquired pitcher Mike Burrows in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates this past offseason.

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What they’re saying

“It's bittersweet, for sure. The Pirates drafted me and gave me my start, but I'm excited for this new opportunity with the Astros.”

— Mike Burrows

What’s next

Burrows is scheduled to face his former Pirates teammates in a spring training game on March 5th, giving him a chance to prove himself against the organization that drafted him.

The takeaway

Burrows' trade to the Astros after most of his 2018 draft class left the Pirates organization underscores the challenges many MLB teams face in developing and retaining young talent, as well as how quickly a player's fortunes can change in professional baseball.