If you look at Drew Maggi’s career stats, it would look like he’s been a career minor leaguer.
Drew Maggi has been in the majors.
The infielder was called up last September 18th by the Twins, but was optioned back down two days later without getting into a game.
The Pirates acquired the 33-year-old journeyman minor leaguer over the weekend, bringing Maggi’s journey back to the beginning. Maggi was originally drafted by the Pirates in 2010, and spent several years in their system.
That 2010 draft saw the Pirates fail to sign their sixth, seventh, and eighth round picks — all prep pitchers. They signed alternative options in the later rounds, including Maggi, who received $468,000 as a 15th round pick.
Maggi made it to Double-A in 2014, but was released heading into the 2015 season, which was his age 26 season. He stuck around in the minors, playing for the Angels, Dodgers, Cleveland, the Twins, and most recently the Phillies.
Last night, Maggi made his return to the Pirates’ system, going 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. On the season, Maggi has a .211/.347/.256 line in Triple-A.
This isn’t a performance that would warrant a callup discussion. Maggi’s career, on the other hand, is a different story.
The Pirates are a losing team in 2022. They’ve got players on the roster who shouldn’t be on a Major League team. They’re still giving time to players who won’t be in the organization long-term, as seen by the continued starts for Josh VanMeter.
The final two months of this season won’t be without meaning. They will give time for the youth movement to emerge and lock up a few spots heading into the offseason.
The Pirates could do something of meaning with the final two months and give Maggi a shot in the majors. I have no illusions that Maggi will help the Pirates any more than VanMeter. After 13 years in the minors, and a near-miss at making his debut in year 12, Maggi deserves his shot.
This could easily be done, adding a feel-good story to the 2022 season, while taking away literally nothing from any future season. My hope is that we see Maggi in Pittsburgh by the end of the year.
PIRATES @ ORIOLES
Time: 1:35 PM EST
Pirates Starter: Bryse Wilson (1-6, 6.20)
Orioles Starter: Spenser Watkins (4-1, 3.80)
Wilson Notes: Over the last month-plus, Wilson has provided some nice outings. He has a 3.62 ERA in 27.1 innings, though his advanced metrics aren’t as good, with a 4.41 xFIP. Wilson hasn’t been walking anyone, but also gets very few strikeouts and is prone to home runs. That hurt him last time out with three homers — though it didn’t hurt him as much that they were all solo homers. Wilson has been keeping the Pirates in games and eating innings, which will be his assignment today as the Pirates try to avoid the sweep in Baltimore.
LINEUPS:
Pirates
Our Sunday starters.#LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/tfdQDj7R24
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 7, 2022
Orioles
1. Cedric Mullins (L) CF
2. Adley Rutschman (S) DH
3. Terrin Vavra (L) 2B
4. A. Santander (S) RF
5. R. Mountcastle (R) 1B
6. Rougned Odor (L) 3B
7. Jorge Mateo (R) SS
8. Brett Phillips (L) LF
9. R. Chirinos (R) C
