The Pirates announced that they have acquired infielder Chris Bostick from the Nationals in exchange for minor league catcher Taylor Gushue and cash. Bostick, who was designated for assignment by the Nats earlier this month, has been added to Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster but won’t join the team for the final few games of the season. He’ll take Josh Harrison’s spot on the 40-man, with Harrison being transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Bostick, 23, split his season between Double-A and Triple-A with the Nats, hitting a combined .250/.313/.386 with eight homers and 11 steals while playing second base, third base and left field. He was ranked as the organization’s No. 25 prospect by Baseball America last offseason, with BA noting that he’s an above-average runner who stands out for a line-drive approach to all fields but may lack a true defensive home. He’s consistently displayed the pop necessary to reach double-digit home run totals and also averaged 27 steals per season from 2013-15.
The 22-year-old Gushue was Pittsburgh’s fourth-rounder back in 2014 and spent the 2016 campaign with their Class-A Advanced affiliate in Bradenton, where he batted .226/.282/.357. At the time Gushue was drafted, BA wrote that he was a good receiver with an average or even above-average arm behind the dish despite difficulties he’d had throwing out runners in college. Their report called him a below-average overall hitter but did note that he has average raw power. Gushue did hit a career-high eight homers in 90 games this season, though his 25 percent caught-stealing rate still leaves something to be desired.
I’m sure this makes sense, but I’m failing to see it. For either side.
I guess it makes sense for the Nats, as he was a sunk cost having been DFAd. The Pirates will have him take a 40 Man spot, but they don’t want to take a look at him tthis week. No idea there.
Pirates deal away another minor league catcher.
That catcher can’t hit to save his life
This guy can’t hit to save his life
Seems like another possible option, joining Frazier and others, as a replacement for Rodriguez. Can play multiple positions and contact hitter. Maybe the Bucs send him to the AFL for further development.
Goodbye Sean R
Why did the Pirates wait so long to put Harrison on the DL?