10 Former Pittsburgh Pirates You Didn’t Know Were Still Playing

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 10: Travis Snider #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates can't catch a ball hit by Tommy Medica #14 of the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning of their game on August 10, 2014 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Padres defeated the Pirates 8-2. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 10: Travis Snider #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates can't catch a ball hit by Tommy Medica #14 of the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning of their game on August 10, 2014 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Padres defeated the Pirates 8-2. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 05: Jason Rogers #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 5, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 05: Jason Rogers #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 5, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Infielder Jason Rogers

The Pirates made a fairly small trade in the 2015-2016 off-season, sending outfielder Keon Broxton to the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Jason Rogers. For a bench bat for the Brew Crew in 2015, he was pretty good. In 169 plate appearances in 86 games, Rogers batted .296/.367/.411 with a .354 wOBA, and 122 wRC+. He was primarily a first baseman, but also saw a few innings at third base and left field.

Rogers didn’t play much with the Pirates. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis where he hit well, posting similar numbers to what he did with the Brewers in 2015. But in the very few chances he got to play with the major league club, he didn’t do all that well. He only got 33 plate appearances, collecting just 2 hits. Rogers still managed a respectable .303 on-base percentage because he also drew 7 walks. But 2016 would be the last time the major leagues got to see Jason Rogers.

Since being let go by the Pirates after the 2016 season, he’s bounced around playing in Japan, Australia, and the independent Atlantic League. This past year, Rogers was still active. He played the 2021 campaign with the Gastonia Honey Hunters and was one of the team’s best hitters. In 411 plate appearances, Rogers batted .286/.404/.501 with 20 home runs. He also walked 63 times compared to his just 48 strikeouts.