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Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Brother Makes Pirates MLB Opening Day Roster

Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn't the only athlete in the family set to play professionally in 2023.

Cole Thompson

© Joseph Maiorana, USA TODAY
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In the Smith-Njigba household, all the attention is on former Ohio State receiver Jaxon as he prepares to begin the next chapter of his career in the NFL. At least that's how it looks in the public eye. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba isn't the only athlete in the family that could have a long-lasting career as a professional athlete. Older brother Canaan might not be running routes on Sundays, but he could be hitting dingers and tracking down balls in the outfield for most of the 2023 MLB regular season.

Canaan Smith-Njigba recently made headlines when it was announced that he would be a part of the 26-man opening-day roster for the Pittsburgh Pirates. During Thursday's season opener against the Cincinnati Reds, the right fielder went 1-for-5 at the plate with a single and three strikeouts. 

Jaxon, a projected first-round pick in next month's draft, tweeted his support from the Great American Ball Park stands. 

A former top-ranked outfielder in Rockwall, Texas, Canaan Smith-Njigba was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. Despite verbally committing to Arkansas, Smith-Njigba elected to bet on himself and go pro. 

After playing three seasons of rookie, low-A and high-A baseball in the Yankees organization, Smith-Njigba was traded to the Pirates as part of a package deal for starting pitcher and former No. 2 overall pick Jameson Taillon ahead of the 2021 season. Once in Pittsburgh's organization, his development kicked into high gear. 

Last season at Triple-A Indianapolis, Smith-Njibgba hit .277 with one homerun and 19 RBIs in 52 games. He totaled 18 extra-base hits and finished with an OPS of .795. He was called up last June and ended the year with a .200 batting average in three career appearances. He'd finish the season in the 60-day IL after suffering a right wrist fracture days after being called up. 

A fringe player to make the final 26-man squad, Smith-Njigba earned his spot in the last game of spring training. Trailing 7-5 to the Minnesota Twins, the older Smith-Njigba launched a no-doubt opposite-field three-run home run to take the lead in the sixth inning.

Smith-Njigba, 23, went 16 for 48 (.333) with three doubles, three homers and a team-high 14 RBIs in 20 Grapefruit League games to take over as the fourth outfielder for the NL Central Club. 

He will now split reps with Brian Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, and Jack Suwinski.

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Cole Thompson
COLE THOMPSON

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