Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Waiver Claims Who Could Impact 2023

LF/DH Miguel Andujar

It wasn’t all that long ago that Miguel Andujar looked like he might be part of the next great New York Yankees team. In 2018, the then-third baseman finished second in Rookie Of The Year voting behind two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Andujar finished the year with a .297/.328/.527 line, .361 wOBA, and 129 wRC+. Although Andujar only had a 4.1% walk rate, he struck out in just 16% of his plate appearances.

Andujar was also a very powerful rookie, cranking 27 home runs and hustling out 47 doubles (a rookie record). Though Andujar’s defense was far from one of his strengths. He was worth -21 Defensive Runs Saved, -7Outs Above Average, and posted a -24.5 UZR/150. But at the time, the Yankees weren’t too worried about his defense, given how he performed with the bat.

But after 2018, Andujar suffered multiple injuries and played just 78 games in his next three seasons. When he did play, he had just a 58 wRC+ and -1.6 fWAR. Andujar opened the year as a depth player for the Yankees, a far cry from the future star he looked to be just a few years prior. The Yankees rarely used him in the majors, giving him just 100 plate appearances before being DFA’d. That’s when the Pirates swooped him and snagged the former top prospect.

Although Andujar had just a 78 wRC+ through his first 40 plate appearances, he also had two multi-hit games and three doubles. A .273 batting average on balls in play certainly didn’t help Andujar, but with a 30.3% line drive rate, that will surely rise.

Andujar’s days at third base are all but over. Not only was he a terrible defender at the hot corner, but he hasn’t played it regularly since 2018. Even in the minor leagues, he was getting more reps in left field. His left field defense certainly isn’t bad either, with +2 DRS, a +3.2 UZR/150, and only -2 outs above average. But he will definitely be part of the Pirates’ designated hitter options for 2023, at least to open the year.