Former Pittsburgh Pirates Currently With Independent League Teams

Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Alex McRae (51) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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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) /

INF Jason Rogers

Jason Rogers was silently pretty valuable member of the 2015 Milwaukee Brewers. He had a .808 OPS, .354 wOBA, and 122 wRC+, mainly serving as a pinch hitter for the Brew Crew that season. The Pittsburgh Pirates hoped they would get a similar bench bat when they acquired him the following offseason.

However, Rogers struggled for the Bucs. In 23 games and 33 plate appearances, Rogers only had two hits. He did draw seven walks, but he also struck out nine times. Somehow, he still managed an OBP above .300 despite only two hits, coming in at .303 in the small sample size.

After 2016, Rogers bounced around in Japan, Australia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Atlantic League. Rogers returned to the US Independent League circuit this season, currently with the Lincoln SaltDogs of the American Association. He only has 100 plate appearances but has 18 hits and 14 walks, along with eight extra-base hits (4 doubles and home runs).