Jack Brannigan entered the 2025 season as a top-10 prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates. That was before the shortstop/third baseman suffered a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Still, the Pirates protected the 2022 third-round draft pick out of Notre Dame from the Rule 5 Draft by placing him on the 40-man roster.

As luck would have it, Brannigan took a bad hop that broke his nose in his first Grapefruit League game, requiring another surgery that would cause him to miss all of spring training. The 6-foot, 201-pound right-handed hitter was batting .235/.333/.522 with seven doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 20 runs scored in 31 games at Double-A Altoona when the Pirates promoted him Thursday.

The call-up was necessitated by first baseman Spencer Horwitz suffering a left hamstring strain Wednesday night against the Seattle Mariners, with a short turnaround before Thursday’s early afternoon start. A day after playing alongside Konnor Griffin, who began a rehabilitation assignment with the Curve, the 25-year-old Brannigan was thrilled to have a chance to make his major-league debut.

What does it mean to be here in this clubhouse?

It’s pretty special. When I got the call yesterday, it was obviously a whirlwind of emotion. To be here right now and see everybody getting ready for the game is pretty surreal. Just excited to be here, for sure.

How did you find out?

I was actually playing video games with some of my friends. I saw I got a call from Andy Fox, our manager, and muted myself and answered. I was like, ‘Hey.’ He said, ‘Are you at home?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m at the apartment. What’s up?’ He said, ‘You’ve got to start packing. You’re going to Pittsburgh.’ I was like, ‘Are you messing with me? What’s going on?’ So I had to unmute. My friends were like, ‘Do you want to play one more before bed.’ I was like, ‘Guys, I can’t play one more. I’ve got to pack up. I’m going to the big leagues.’ It was pretty cool.

What was their reaction?

I think they didn’t believe me at first, then they could tell I was getting a little choked up. They were like, ‘Dude, you’ve got to get off. You’ve got to call your parents.’ I think they were more excited in the moment than I was. I was trying to process it.

Did you call your parents directly after?

I couldn’t decide if I should call my mom or my dad first, so I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to hit the whole family with a group FaceTime.’ I got almost everybody on there and told them, so it was pretty cool.

What’s going through your mind after getting that call?

At first, it was more shock. You always dream of getting the call. When it actually happens, you’re almost, like, not ready for it. I just didn’t expect it to happen like that. Now, it’s just excitement. I look back on last year — when I had shoulder surgery, then nose surgery in the spring. It’s just been like one thing after another. To come full circle like this is pretty special.

Could you have imagined this after missing all of spring training with the broken nose?

Not at all. I think every single day when I walked in there, I just wanted to keep my head down and try to hide my double black eyes and puffy face. Now to be here is just crazy.

How did you deal with the injuries and try to stay positive?

It’s definitely tough. I think you try to take it one day at a time, honestly. It gets better each day after you get hurt and going through the rehab process. I just try to take it one day at a time and enjoy the guys you’re around. There’s been a good group of guys all throughout the organization that I’ve spent a ton of time with through rehab and all the levels.

How much has your game evolved this season?

You get better every single day. There’s a new challenge every time you step into the box, every time you step onto the field. You’re just trying to constantly evolve and take little pieces and add it to your game. The 12:35 game definitely helps. Once I get out there, I’ll definitely take a look at the skyline from the dugout. From there, hopefully, getting into the game. It’s the same game I’ve been playing since I was 3 or 4 years old. Just a little bit bigger stadium. Just try to enjoy it.

What was it like to play with Konnor Griffin at Double-A Altoona?

Super special, obviously. An unbelievable talent. It’s funny. He comes in the clubhouse yesterday, and he’s still the youngest guy there, which is pretty ridiculous. It’s been great being around him. He’s always a lot of fun. He brings a great energy to the field. It’s just a blast watching him play. He’s such a special talent.

Did Konnor buy the Curve a food spread?

Um, I think that’s coming later on. I think I might have missed that. Maybe he’ll give me something on the side. It’s a good reason to miss it.

Will your family be here for your MLB debut?

My parents (John and Colleen) were flying into Pittsburgh from Chicago this afternoon. They were supposed to come to Altoona, so they moved their flights up and bought an extra ticket for my brothers (Shane, Mark and Luke). And my older brother Shane’s fiancé (Lauren) will be here, too. I think before I even hung up the phone, they were already looking up flights on Southwest and trying to figure it out.

What is the meaning of the bracelet you wear #LiveLikeRoche?

A good friend of mine passed away in the summer of 2020, Jack Roche. He actually got in a car accident. He was two years older than me — he was my brother’s age — and he was actually our baseball manager. He was just an unbelievable guy, one of my really good friends. We called him Coach Roche. He was like the manager but he was the coach of everybody. I actually broke it two years ago, on Mother’s Day. I was putting on tape and I pulled it up a little bit and it ended up ripping. My brother has a really good relationship with their family. As soon as they found out, they sent me 10 more, so I’ve got a bunch. I’ll wear it every single day. I know he’s watching but today especially.