The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled shortstop Gift Ngoepe on Wednesday afternoon and optioned right-handed pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas to Indianapolis to make room on the 25-man roster. Ngoepe is being called up due to the bench being one position player short, plus David Freese missed last night’s game due to a hamstring issue, leaving the Pirates short-handed on offense.
Ngoepe, who is from South Africa, will become the first player from his country and the entire continent of Africa in the majors. He was signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 2008 and was added to the 40-man roster after the 2015 season. He has played in Triple-A since late 2015, where he has put up a .224/.295/.353 in 138 games. He hit better at the lower levels of the system, but hasn’t been able to put together the offense with Indianapolis.
While the hitting isn’t Major League quality, the glove is likely the best in the entire system at any position. He’s a plus defender with quick hands and feet and a strong arm. Ngoepe makes the routine plays and the spectacular plays. He can also fill in at third base and second base, though shortstop is his primary position and his best spot. He will likely remain with the Pirates until Adam Frazier returns from his disabled list stint.
Brian Peloza wrote last week about Ngoepe’s new approach at the plate. You can also read about his unique path to the majors. Ngoepe has a younger brother in the system named Victor Ngoepe, who is in Extended Spring Training right now. They also have a third player from South Africa, pitcher Vince Deyzel, who is with the younger Ngoepe in EST.
On Monday, the Pirates called up Dovydas Neverauskas, who is the first player born in Lithuania in the majors, so this is a week of firsts for the MLB and the Pirates. He pitched two innings in his Major League debut Monday night.
