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Pittsburgh Pirates: Building a Team of One-Season Wonders

ByNoah Wright|
Catcher Ronny Paulino of the Pirates waits in the dugout prior to action between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on June 20, 2006. The Royals won 10-6. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
Catcher Ronny Paulino of the Pirates waits in the dugout prior to action between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on June 20, 2006. The Royals won 10-6. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
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July 4, 2008; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady (22) bats during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
July 4, 2008; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady (22) bats during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Right Field – 2008 Xavier Nady

We have another one-season standout from 2008, and that’s Xavier Nady. Up through 2008, Nady had done decent but nothing over-the-top impressive. He was a .272/.327/.441 batter with a .333 wOBA, and 102 wRC+. Again, nothing terrible, but also nothing noteworthy. But the start of the 2008 season was outstanding for Nady.

In 360 plate appearances, Nady batted .330/.383/.535. He smacked 13 home runs with a .205 isolated slugging percentage. While he was never a light hitter, a .205 ISO was a 36-point increase from his 2000-2007 rate. Nady ended up having a 142 wRC+ before the Pirates traded him to the New York Yankees for Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, and Daniel McCutchen.

But Nady pretty much reverted back to his 2000-2007 self after the trade, only batting .268/.320/.474 with a 108 wRC+. In early 2009, Nady underwent elbow surgery in April, only playing seven games. He was never the same after that, as from 2010 through 2014, he hit .234/.287/.353 with a .283 wOBA and 71 wRC+.

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