Pirates A to Z: Miguel Andujar hoping to tap back into power potential with Pirates

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Miguel Andujar to pitcher Miguel Yajure.

Player: Miguel Andujar

Position: Left fielder/Designated hitter

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Age: 27 (March 2)

Height: 6 foot

Weight: 211 pounds

2022 MLB statistics: Batted .235/.275/.311 with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 17 RBIs in 36 games.

Contract: Signed for $1.3 million last season.

Acquired: Claimed off waivers from New York Yankees on Sept. 25.

This past season: That Andujar arrived in Pittsburgh as a waiver claim was a sign that the Yankees finally gave up on the 2018 runner-up for American League rookie of the year.

After slashing .297/.328/.527 with 47 doubles, 27 home runs and 92 RBIs as a 23-year-old rookie third baseman, Andujar was limited by injuries, ineffectiveness and a position switch to left field and played in a combined 105 games over the next three-plus seasons.

“It’s tough,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s a great kid who worked really hard to be a quality left fielder. He’s still really talented. You never know when it can still click for a guy.”

The Pirates, desperate for a designated hitter after trading Daniel Vogelbach to the New York Mets in late July, were willing to take a chance on Andujar clicking in their lineup.

Andujar’s aggressive approach in his Pirates debut made a “really good first impression” on manager Derek Shelton. Andujar went 1 for 3 with a walk, a single and a sacrifice fly in an 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 26 at PNC Park.

“I think this is a kid who has proven that he can hit,” Shelton said, “and we want to give him the opportunity to get some at-bats.”

Bases loaded....Bases UN-loaded!

Miguel Andujar clears 'em with a 3-run double to put the @Pirates ahead in the 7th!

We head to the 8th - live on AT&T SportsNet!#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/Ny3AqhSJym

— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) September 28, 2022

Shelton was even more impressed when Andujar lined a three-run double in the seventh inning of his second game, a heroic hit to clinch a 4-1 win over the Reds. The 400-foot blast looked like it was headed for a homer when it hit the top of the padding on the bullpen fence.

“Off the bat, I thought it was clearly out,” Shelton said. “He hit it about as flush as you could hit it. I think you see cold nights in this ballpark and left field. I don’t know how much better you can get it because he looked like he got every bit of it.

“You’re seeing a guy that has been in some big moments. … Anytime you join a new team, when you have a moment in the first few games where you impact the game — he had the hit that won the game — it’s really important.”

The change of scenery appeared to energize Andujar, who produced three doubles, a triple and nine RBIs in nine games with the Pirates after recording two doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 27 games with the Yankees. It’s a small sample size but Andujar, who played 71 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, embraced the opportunity.

“It’s a good feeling for me,” Andujar said. “We have a good group of guys here with a lot of talent, too. For me, it’s super exciting to be here with this team.”

The future: Andujar is intent on proving that his rookie season wasn’t a fluke, and believes that having a chance to be in the lineup on an everyday basis could help his cause.

“I think I just had a lot of confidence,” Andujar said of his 2018 season. “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.”

Although third base belongs to Gold Glove finalist Ke’Bryan Hayes, Andujar’s ability to play multiple positions makes him more attractive to the Pirates. He has major league experience at third base, left field and even a handful of games at first base.

What the Pirates really want is to tap into his power potential at DH. Andujar profiles as a pull hitter who feeds off fastballs, so he has to improve his batting average against breaking (.220) and off-speed (.222) pitches and boost his on-base percentage (.257).

Andujar was projected by MLBtraderumors.com to receive $1.7 million in arbitration next season, a figure that could scare the Pirates from making a commitment to him. It’s more likely the Pirates will attempt to avoid arbitration by reaching a settlement with Andujar, who knows they could serve as his best chance to stay in the majors, if not his last.

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