Sometimes, when an MLB player who has been good in the past is struggling, all he needs is a change of scenery.
In Miguel Andujar‘s specific case, the situation is more complex than that, but there is an undeniable truth: being designated for assignment by the New York Yankees and claimed from waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates was the best thing that could happen to him.
He had been blocked by other talented hitters in the Yankees organization for years, and while he also didn’t do enough to win a spot (a .318 slugging percentage in four years and over 370 plate appearances is obviously not helpful for that objective), the team also didn’t give him a fair, extended chance.
Andujar suffered a significant shoulder injury back in 2019, a torn labrum, that may have affected him in subsequent years.
All He Needed Was A Fair Chance
However, he has said he needs at-bats to get in a rhythm, and he is already getting that chance to play regularly in Pittsburgh.
“It looks like Miguel Andujar is enjoying his new home. The newest member of the @Pirates has driven in a run in each of his three starts with the Bucs. This RBI double in the first inning to give the Bucs a 1-0 lead as we head to the 2nd,” AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
It looks like Miguel Andujar is enjoying his new home.
The newest member of the @Pirates has driven in a run in each of his three starts with the Bucs.
This RBI double in the first inning to give the Bucs a 1-0 lead as we head to the 2nd – live on AT&T SportsNet! pic.twitter.com/8cXAVAYJfu
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) September 28, 2022
On Tuesday, Andujar hit another double that nearly left the yard.
When he is at his best, Andujar is an extra-base hit machine: he had 76 in 2018, the year in which he he hit .297 with 27 homers and 92 RBI to finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.
He hit 47 doubles in 2018.
After sporting a .531 OPS with the Yanks this year, he is at .930 in Pittsburgh in his first handful of games.
It looks like all he needed was a fair chance.
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