Pirates Call Up Two Prospects

Anytime the Pittsburgh Pirates call up a prospect this year, fans start salivating about 6'7" shortstop phenom Oneil Cruz. He got off to a slow start to the year in Triple-A, so that call hasn't come... just yet. Today, the Pirates called up two more prospects not named Oneil Cruz. 

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Monday that the Pirates have called up outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba and infielder Hoy Park from Class AAA Indianapolis.

Park has been here before; he was acquired from the New York Yankees last season in the Clay Holmes trade at the 2021 deadline. After a huge year in the minors under the Yankees' watch, Park did not excel as a Pirate after the deal, hitting just .197 in 44 games with the big club. 

The 26-year-old played six games earlier this season for the Pirates, hitting just .214, but he'll get another shot now.

Smith-Njigba is the more intriguing selection, though. With his patient approach at the plate, the 23-year-old has fared quite well in the minors, this year hitting .297 with a .417 on-base percentage. He's actually reached base in 40 of 41 games. 

He has a .276 average with an .801 OPS in five minor league seasons, and will make his major league debut this week with the Pirates in St. Louis.

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