Matt Gorski Stats & Scouting Report

AB	389
AVG	.257
OBP	.319
SLG	.522
HR	23

Full name Matthew Gorski
Born 12/22/1997 in Fishers, IN
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 198 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Indiana
Drafted in the 2nd round (57th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 (signed for $1,000,000).

View Draft Report

A toosly, high-upside center fielder, Gorski has an intriguing power-speed combination that scouts can dream on, but there are some real questions about the quality of his hit tool. A 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthanded hitter, Gorski has plus raw power and plus running ability, but after hitting .356/.404/.554 during his sophomore season in 2018, he was hitting .279/.385/.516 through his first 52 games this spring. Gorski has walked at a career-high rate, struckout at a career-high rate and also homered more this spring than he did in his first two seasons. His swing has some length to it, and his eye level shifts during a load that features a hand hitch and slight collapse of his back leg. Last summer in the Cape Cod League, Gorski featured a big leg kick that he attempted to quiet down, but he struck out 33 percent of the time in his 23-game stint with Harwich. Despite his speed, Gorski needs work to stick in center field, as scouts label his defense as shaky at the moment. He might fit best in a corner, and he has above-average arm strength that could allow him to fit in either spot.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 40/Medium

Track Record: After being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, Gorski immediately earned a rep as a tooled-up player who could be polished into a high-upside player if he could bring his hitting ability forward. He showed major progress in that regard during the 2022 season after rebuilding his swing in the offseason and produced a .956 OPS before a quad injury ended his season. Gorski’s issues with swinging and missing popped up again in 2023, which was spent mostly at Double-A.

Scouting Report: As ever, Gorski’s biggest questions revolve around his hit tool. He struck out at a 25% clip in 2023. His rates of chase and miss--both in zone and out--were subpar, and he was particularly vexed upon a promotion to Triple-A. When he did connect, he produced a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.9 mph, well above-average when compared to his peers. Even if he doesn’t hit, Gorski’s defense and speed could get him to the big leagues. He’s a plus runner who can deftly man center field and both corners. If he moves to a corner, his double-plus arm would fit easily in right field or make him even more of an asset if he sticks in center field.

The Future: For the second straight season, Gorski was unprotected and unpicked in the Rule 5 draft. To reach his ceiling, he’ll need to control the strike zone better. If he does, his strength and power will play up. If not, he fits as a fourth outfielder who provides speed and outstanding defense.

Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 60 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Gorski was a second-round pick by the Pirates in 2019 who entered pro ball with immense power and concerns about his hit tool. Those concerns persisted throughout much of his pro career, and he hit just .223 with a 31.2% strikeout rate as a 23-year-old with High-A Greensboro in 2021. But Gorski rebuilt his swing in the offseason and altered the trajectory of his career, posting a .956 OPS with 23 homers through 81 games, although he missed two months with a quad injury. He was unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: Gorski made a myriad of changes to his swing. He slightly opened his stance and altered his stride, better engaging his lower half to become more rotational toward the ball. He also worked to flatten his bat path. The changes unlocked just enough contact ability to allow his plus-plus power to play. Gorski's 91.4 mph average exit velocity trailed only Oneil Cruz among Pirates minor leaguers with 100+ plate appearances. There's still considerable swing-and-miss--he whiffed on 32% of pitches in the strike zone--and High-A Greensboro is a hitter's haven. Gorski is a plus runner who impacts every aspect of the game. He's a plus defender in the corners with a howitzer of an arm and could steal 30+ bases over a full season. The Pirates may try Gorski at first base as well to find him even more reps.

The Future: There's reason for skepticism considering Gorski will be 25 on Opening Day with 161 career plate appearances in the upper levels. If the swing changes stick, Gorski has a shot at a three-true-outcome-type big league role with considerable supplemental tools.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 80.

Draft Prospects

A toosly, high-upside center fielder, Gorski has an intriguing power-speed combination that scouts can dream on, but there are some real questions about the quality of his hit tool. A 6-foot-4, 195-pound righthanded hitter, Gorski has plus raw power and plus running ability, but after hitting .356/.404/.554 during his sophomore season in 2018, he was hitting .279/.385/.516 through his first 52 games this spring. Gorski has walked at a career-high rate, struckout at a career-high rate and also homered more this spring than he did in his first two seasons. His swing has some length to it, and his eye level shifts during a load that features a hand hitch and slight collapse of his back leg. Last summer in the Cape Cod League, Gorski featured a big leg kick that he attempted to quiet down, but he struck out 33 percent of the time in his 23-game stint with Harwich. Despite his speed, Gorski needs work to stick in center field, as scouts label his defense as shaky at the moment. He might fit best in a corner, and he has above-average arm strength that could allow him to fit in either spot.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Gorski was a second-round pick by the Pirates in 2019 who entered pro ball with immense power and concerns about his hit tool. Those concerns persisted throughout much of his pro career, and he hit just .223 with a 31.2% strikeout rate as a 23-year-old with High-A Greensboro in 2021. But Gorski rebuilt his swing in the offseason and altered the trajectory of his career, posting a .956 OPS with 23 homers through 81 games, although he missed two months with a quad injury. He was unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: Gorski made a myriad of changes to his swing. He slightly opened his stance and altered his stride, better engaging his lower half to become more rotational toward the ball. He also worked to flatten his bat path. The changes unlocked just enough contact ability to allow his plus-plus power to play. Gorski's 91.4 mph average exit velocity trailed only Oneil Cruz among Pirates minor leaguers with 100+ plate appearances. There's still considerable swing-and-miss--he whiffed on 32% of pitches in the strike zone--and High-A Greensboro is a hitter's haven. Gorski is a plus runner who impacts every aspect of the game. He's a plus defender in the corners with a howitzer of an arm and could steal 30+ bases over a full season. The Pirates may try Gorski at first base as well to find him even more reps.

The Future: There's reason for skepticism considering Gorski will be 25 on Opening Day with 161 career plate appearances in the upper levels. If the swing changes stick, Gorski has a shot at a three-true-outcome-type big league role with considerable supplemental tools.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 80.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: Gorski was a second-round pick by the Pirates in 2019 who entered pro ball with immense power and concerns about his hit tool. Those concerns persisted throughout much of his pro career, and he hit just .223 with a 31.2% strikeout rate as a 23-year-old with High-A Greensboro in 2021. But Gorski rebuilt his swing in the offseason and altered the trajectory of his career, posting a .956 OPS with 23 homers through 81 games, although he missed two months with a quad injury. He was unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 Draft.

Scouting Report: Gorski made a myriad of changes to his swing. He slightly opened his stance and altered his stride, better engaging his lower half to become more rotational toward the ball. He also worked to flatten his bat path. The changes unlocked just enough contact ability to allow his plus-plus power to play. Gorski's 91.4 mph average exit velocity trailed only Oneil Cruz among Pirates minor leaguers with 100+ plate appearances. There's still considerable swing-and-miss--he whiffed on 32% of pitches in the strike zone--and High-A Greensboro is a hitter's haven. Gorski is a plus runner who impacts every aspect of the game. He's a plus defender in the corners with a howitzer of an arm and could steal 30+ bases over a full season. The Pirates may try Gorski at first base as well to find him even more reps.

The Future: There's reason for skepticism considering Gorski will be 25 on Opening Day with 161 career plate appearances in the upper levels. If the swing changes stick, Gorski has a shot at a three-true-outcome-type big league role with considerable supplemental tools.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 35. Power: 70. Speed: 60. Fielding: 60. Arm: 80.
BA Grade: 45/High

Midseason Update: Gorski worked hard to improve his swing between last year and now, and the results were evident. He smoothed out his bat path and changed some of the movement in his lower half to make his swing a bit more adjustable. He absolutely mashed at High-A while also showing plenty of speed in the outfield as well as a strong throwing arm. He had an excellent 30-game stretch for Double-A Altoona before straining a quad that will keep him on the injured list for a prolonged period.