The Pirates have placed infielder Alen Hanson on waivers, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Additionally, infielder Gift Ngoepe has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. A pair of corresponding moves will be announced tomorrow, Biertempfel notes, adding that infielder Max Moroff is one candidate to be added to the big league roster.
Hanson, 24, long rated as one of the Bucs’ top prospects and at one point was a consensus top 100 prospect in the game. However, his offensive production began to trail off upon reaching Triple-A, and he’s batted just .205/.239/.261 in a combined 92 plate appearances between the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The bulk of his time in the field as a big leaguer has come at second base, though defensive metrics such as Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved don’t paint a favorable picture.
Hanson broke camp with the Pirates due largely to the fact that he’s out of minor league options, and that same fact may at least give Pittsburgh hope of passing him through outright waivers. Any club placing a claim on Hanson would have to be prepared to carry him on its 25-man roster (or simply attempt to run him through waivers once again with the hope that he’d clear a second time around).
Ngoepe, the first African-born player ever to reach the Major Leagues, made his big league debut earlier this season and has seen action in 27 games with the Pirates. In 63 plate appearances, the 27-year-old has batted .222/.323/.296 with a pair of doubles and a triple. Ngoepe turned in strong defensive marks in a small sample of 110 innings at second base and also saw time at shortstop (26 innings) and third base (14 innings). However, he struck out in 41 percent of his trips to the plate, demonstrating that there’s still more for him to work on at the dish.
Pick him up atlanta
Ah the usual “go get him braves” comment when someone gets placed on waivers/dfa
Well he’s not wrong. I would much rather have him than Santana or Bonifacio
A few weeks ago it was “I would much rather have Santana than Bonifacio”…
So you’re saying you want a former top prospect that cannot hit in triple a that makes joey Gallo look like an all star ?
I rather have bonifacio. When he is on that guy is deadly speed and defense
Joey Gallo will probably make the all star team with all those home runs
Not a chance. In no particular order, here are some of the third basemen more likely to be an All Star than Gallo (probably only 2-3 third basemen will make the team, but these guys should all be ahead of Gallo).
Josh Donaldson
Jose Ramirez
Miguel Sanó
Kyle Seager
Alex Bregman
Mike Moustakas
Evan Longoria
Manny Machado (probable fan vote winner)
At least everyone agrees that Bonifacio should go
Donaldson and why?
Except Bonifacio hasn’t really been “on” for a while. Certainly not this year. The only reason why he’s lasted this long has essentially been due to his “veteran presence”, but he hasn’t really been good otherwise.
I’d rather have bonifaco. Bonifacio is literally about the worst player in the majors right now. Max Scherzer has a higher OPS.
Every post requires one.
But this one makes a lot of sense. Bonifacio will be gone when Adonis is activated today or tomorrow, Santana is heating up a little at the plate, but Hanson could come and pretty much replace Jace Peterson, let Jace go play in Gwinnett.
Only if we can get him back into the minors. Good talent and depth in the infield already.
Teams should somehow be able to pick up on “top prospects” who won’t make it. So they can cash in on them while they are in A or AA. If some one can figure out a way to predict that, some team will pay you a lot of money. Because this happens sooooo much.
Yes teams should be able to see into the future with 100% accuracy. What is wrong with them?
Isn’t Al Cabrera, not Gift Ngoepe, the first African to play in the MLB being born on the Canary Islands and all?
Canary Islands are part of Spain.
It gained autonomy in 1982. It was an African territory when Cabrera played. Technically making him from Africa, whilst still being Spanish.
The article states African born, he lived before they broke off, making him Spanish-born.
He being Cabrera.
Look it up tho.
Cabrera was the first from the African continent. Making him the first “African” to play.
Ngoepe has a possible future in the bigs as a John McDonald- Clint Barmes type of defensive specialist. Hansen doesn’t do anything well enough to stick in the big leagues, and maybe never will.
Could mean Austin Meadows in the big leagues…
Alen Hanson has about the same future as the band he shares a last name with.
giving up on him already?
ok yeah…..understandable
The Brewers should get him rather have him over Nick Franklin
I wouldn’t be surprised if Hanson clears and then we never hear of him again unless someone is talking about prospects that didn’t pan out… Guy has potential but won’t get to see many MLB at bats in Pittsburgh.
Gift should be back sometime.. sooner if mercer flounders or there is an injury in the infield. One of the best defensive infielders the pirates seen in the MLB.. of course his bat…. … yeah.