Pirates Takeaways: Andújar Shows Upside As Bucs’ Latest Waiver Claim (+)
PITTSBURGH — Just four seasons ago, Miguel Andújar finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year race as a member of the New York Yankees.
The now 27-year-old was beat out by Los Angeles Angels’ star Shohei Ohtani for the award.
After that season, Andújar battled injuries and other adversities and only played in a combined 105 games with the Yankees from 2019 through this year.
The Yankees designated Andújar for assignment earlier in the month, and the Pittsburgh Pirates pounced on the opportunity to add his services.
In two games with the Pirates, Andújar is already making an impact with his new team.
“It’s a good feeling for me. We got a group of guys here with a lot of talent, so for me it’s super exciting to be here with this team,” Andújar said.
Andújar’s bases-clearing double in the seventh inning was the difference in the Pirates’ 4-1 win over the Reds. It marked his first three-RBI game since his sensational rookie campaign in 2018.
The hit gave him four RBIs in his first two games in Pittsburgh.
“I’m very happy,” Andújar said on his decisive hit. “I feel happy for that swing in that moment for the team.”
The Pirates have played a pair of games with Andújar in the lineup and have won both contests. The newest Pittsburgh Pirates’ addition has had a key hand in both decisions.
“You’re seeing a guy who has been in some big moments,” manager Derek Shelton said. “I think anytime you join a new team when you have a moment in the first few games where you impact the game… it’s really important.”
The Pirates this season have made more than a few waiver claims. While most of them haven’t turned into impact players, Andújar has a chance to become just that.
Keller Shows Key Reason For Emergence
Mitch Keller’s emergence this season has been a great story for a club who could use any positive they can get.
One of the biggest reasons for why Keller has been able to make a jump on the mound this year was on display on Tuesday.
In the past, Keller would tend to let an inning snowball on him when he was working in a jam. Against the Reds, Keller had to work through some traffic and limited the Reds to just one run in five innings.
“Just looking back, not really happy with the outing, nothing really crisp, nothing really clean. We ended up getting win so that’s all that really matters,” Keller said on his outing.
Not being pleased with only allowing one run in five innings is yet another sign of the maturation of Keller this season.
Keller struggled with command at times, especially with his sinking fastball but was still able to get outs. The command issued led to a lot of the traffic Keller had to deal with.
Still, Keller remained poised and kept his team in position to win.
“I think in the past if I only had the four-seam and I didn’t have (other pitches) then who the hell knows where this game is,” said Keller.
After another relatively strong outing on the mound, Keller’s season ERA now sits at 3.92.
Crowe Bounces Back
Wil Crowe’s last couple outings — let’s just say — did not go well.
Combined over those two games, Crowe only recorded one out and surrendered eight earned runs (216.00 ERA).
On Tuesday against the Reds, Crowe looked a lot more like the pitcher he was for most of the season.
The right-hander tossed two scoreless innings, allowed just one hit and punched out a pair. He picked up his sixth win of the season for the Bucs.
“He came in a big spot of the game and threw the ball really well,” Shelton said. “He went right after guys so yeah, nice step back giving us two innings.”