The Pittsburgh Pirates’ most interesting non-top 30 prospect

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a very stacked farm system. Baseball America ranked their system as the best in baseball. MLB Pipeline’s poll showed that baseball executives see the Pirates’ system as the most underrated. Many fans are enamored by the likes of Konnor Griffin, Edward Florentino, Bubba Chandler, and Seth Hernandez, and rightfully so. They are some of the best prospects in all of baseball. But one of the most interesting prospects in the Pirates’ system isn’t currently on any top 30 Pirates prospect rankings. That’s right-hander David Matoma.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ most interesting non-top 30 prospect

The bottom line isn’t everything

Matoma was an international signee during the 2022-2023 offseason. The flamethrower hails from Uganda, and Matoma is one of the reasons the game is gaining popularity in his home country. Last year, Matoma pitched 42.1 innings at Bradenton. His 4.25 ERA, 4.19 FIP, and 1.56 WHIP do not stand out. He also didn’t have an elite strikeout rate (20.6%) nor a healthy walk rate (13.3%).

A flamethrower from an unlikely country

Matoma’s numbers aren’t what make him interesting. While his background is one reason to keep an eye on him, one major reason is that he is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the Pirates’ minor league system. His four-seam fastball averaged 96.5 MPH and topped out at 100.6 MPH last year. Not only does he have elite velocity, but he also has plus movement. Matoma’s fastball had just 13.9 inches of drop and 9.2 inches of armside run. That means he threw his fastball with carry through the zone and above-average horizontal break. Only 28 minor league pitchers threw 100+ fastballs and averaged 95+ with 15 or fewer inches of vertical drop, and 9+ inches of horizontal movement.

While Matoma wasn’t the only Pirates prospect to top 100+, he is one of the few. He, along with Chandler and Kyle Nicolas, was one of the three Pirates players to be clocked at 100+ MPH by Statcast in the minor leagues. Statcast data is currently only available at A-Ball and Triple-A. Chandler topped out at 101.7 MPH, while Nicolas hit 100.7 MPH. Other prospects like Antwone Kelly, Jeter Martinez, and Wilber Dotel can also hit 100+ MPH, but did not play at those levels in 2025. The most impressive part is that Matoma is still very young. He just turned 20 on February 2.

Rare velocity for a young talent

Matoma is also interesting in the fact that he is one of the few prospects who can hit 100+ and isn’t on their team’s top 30 prospect list. There are some exceptions, but most minor leaguers who can dial up the heat that much and consistently get some sort of attention. Even though fastball velocity is steadily climbing, 100+ is still not a very common sight. That is especially true for a prospect who was still a teenager last year.

Matoma’s fastball isn’t his only offering. He also throws a sinker with similar velocity and even more movement. His upper-80s cutter is his go-to breaking offering. He rounds out his rotation with a mid-80s slider, along with a rarely used change-up. While he has a handful of pitches, it is probably best if he focuses on developing two or three offerings. Matoma is a relief prospect. He has only started one game in his pro career.

Matoma has the potential to become a future closer for the Pirates. Sure, he still needs to improve his command. It’s the weakest part of his game. But given he is still so young, it’s very possible he can achieve that in the coming years. The fact that he throws so hard, isn’t a top 30 prospect, and comes from a country that is starting to grow in the baseball world makes him one of the Pirates’ most interesting minor leaguers.