Inside The Pinstripes

Miguel Andújar 'Super Happy' About Fresh Start With Pirates

Andújar spoke out about his time with the Yankees and ending up with the Pirates as he made his debut with Pittsburgh.

Max Goodman

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TORONTO — Miguel Andújar is already making an impact with his new team.

Since being claimed off waivers by the Pirates this week, including his first at-bat on Wednesday afternoon, the ex-Yankee is 3-for-8 with two doubles and five runs batted in. 

On Tuesday night, Andújar slugged a go-ahead, three-run double off the top of the wall in left-center field at PNC Park in a win over the Reds, his first extra base hit in his new uniform. 

He ripped another double in his first at-bat on Wednesday, this time off another former Yankee, Luis Cessa.

Andújar was designated for assignment by the Yankees last week, ending his 11-year tenure within the Yankees organization. The 27-year-old previously requested a trade from New York this summer, wanting to suit up for a team that would give him consistent playing time. 

So far, he's getting his wish in Pittsburgh.

“I’m super happy to be here,” Andujar told reporters leading up to his debut in a Pirates uniform. “When I heard the news, I was happy to come here. It’s really exciting.”

It certainly seems like Andújar will have an opportunity to show what he can do as a regular in Pittsburgh's lineup. He's been penciled in a few times as the Pirates' designated hitter so far, making his debut in left field on Wednesday. 

Whether he's just hitting or moving around the diamond on defense—he can also play third base and first base—that's better than the alternative, playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system, biding his time for a starter to get hurt in the Bronx.

“For me, if I’m in the game, I’m happy,” Andujar said. “That’s what I want.”

If he can recapture his form from his rookie season—when he came in second in the race for the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2018—then the Pirates snagged an absolute steal on the waiver wire. He hasn't been able to produce at that clip over the last four years since then, though. He'll need to stay healthy as well.

“I think I just had a lot of confidence [in 2018],” Andujar added. “I think playing every day helped me get into a good routine and I could be the best version of myself out on the field.”

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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