In The System: Madris taking advantage of opportunity with Indians

Welcome to In The System, our new daily analysis of the latest throughout the Pirates' organization!

Each morning, we'll spotlight an individual player or performance from the previous day/night, in addition to offering convenient links to find all the information anyone could want on Class AAA Indianapolis, Class AA Altoona, high Class A Greensboro and low Class A Bradenton throughout the season.

Player: Bligh Madris
Position: Outfielder
Bats/throws: Left/right
Age: 25
Size: 6-0, 208 pounds
MLB organizational rank: N/A
Affiliate: Indianapolis 

With Travis Swaggerty out the remainder of the year after undergoing surgery for his dislocated right shoulder, there is an opportunity for outfielders outside the top 30 prospect list to get called up to the majors this year. We have already seen it with Troy Stokes Jr. and Hunter Owen. 

Now Madris is making a case for himself.

While he went hitless in the Indians' 3-2 loss to the Columbus Clippers, Madris drew a pair of walks and is slashing an impressive .350/.426/.500 in his 12 games since being promoted to Class AAA.

A year ago, he was passed over for a spot on the alternate site squad. This offseason, he talked to me about how he used that time to watch video and work on his swing, straightening out his stance and adding more of a leg kick. He also tore up the Australian Baseball League over the winter to help get game-ready this year.

"Not being at the alt-site, it sucked," Madris said in a Zoom call Thursday. "It was just nice getting back here. Being in front of the new front office. Being around all the new coaches, and stuff like that. Taking in all the new information. It's been great."

The Pirates likely needing to go back to the minors for outfield depth again, and Madris could force the front office's hand if he keeps performing.

ELSEWHERE

• The Curve are still waiting for outfielder Canan Smith-Njigba to tap into his raw power this year, but he is getting on base at a terrific clip, raising his OBP to .361 via a hit and three walks in Friday's 4-2 win over the Richmond Fly Squirrels. 

• Right-hander Michael Burrows was a bit wild, walking three and lasting just 4 2/3 innings, but he struck out six and allowed just one hit Friday night. He allowed two runs and finished with a no-decision in the Grasshoppers' 8-6 loss to the Winston-Salem batters.

Burrows has struck out at least a half dozen in four of his five starts this year while only allowing seven hits over 20 2/3 innings. He has some of the highest spin pitches in the system, and he saw his velocity spike during the quarantine into the mid-90s. I listed him as one of the Pirates' potential breakout prospects earlier this year.

• Bradenton is down infielder Maikol Escotto, who was placed on the seven-day injured list with a non-disclosed injury. Eddy Yean was hit around in his four innings of work, allowing four runs on a pair of homers, but the Marauders hung on to beat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 9-7.

OFFICIAL LINKS

• Affiliate scores
• Indianapolis
• Altoona
• Greensboro
• Bradenton

YOUR TURN: We'd love to hear from you, too, especially if you make it out to see any of these prospects and affiliates play. Feel free to file your own original scouting reports and other observations in comments.