The Pirates released infielder Drew Maggi, according to reporter Pat Ragazzo (Twitter link). Maggi didn’t have any hard feelings about the situation, telling Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Pirates fans are “the best in the world. And thank you to the Pirates organization. I’m not done yet!”
Maggi made his MLB debut earlier this season, appearing in three games for the Pirates and getting two hits in six plate appearances. At age 34, Maggi waited a long time for that cup of coffee in the majors, as he has been in pro ball since he was a 15th-round selection for the Pirates in the 2010 draft. Maggi bounced around to five other teams’ farm systems from 2015-22 before returning to the Pittsburgh organization last August in a minor trade with the Phillies.
Maggi’s minor league time this season has been with Double-A Altoona, and as Mackey noted, Maggi hasn’t played a game since July 8. A move to the development list on July 14 hinted that Maggi’s time with the Pirates was nearing an end, and Mackey writes that with so many young prospects in need of playing time, Maggi was the odd man out.
With a reputation as a strong clubhouse leader, Maggi might draw attention from another team looking to add some veteran leadership within its minor league ranks. Coaching or managerial roles also seem like possibilities down the line, though Maggi isn’t yet ready to hang up his glove.
career .333 hitter – I know Altona stats are not up to snuff., but Pirates are in last no hope for them, and they don’t see him out just little more? look at menses he came up late and now proving his worth
career 6 at bat .333 hitter. His minor league stats don’t exactly make him stand out.
(I honestly just came here to make a “no magic for Drew here” joke)
don’t get it
Maggi has a similar OPS to Austin Hedges, but at Double-A, and only one of his two hits came off a pitcher (the other against a position player). Great guy and feel good story, but a career minor leaguer for a reason.
He’s got an OPS+ of 124!
Pirates are in last why release him? Fans love his story and he’s a career .333 hitter. Let him have a chance, stupid pirates.
Did you not read the article. Zerbs63? It clearly explains why he’s being released and he wasn’t playing with the parent club, instead their AA affiliate
SMH
.333 one hit in 3 AB.
Pirates suck, hope Maggi gets the respect he deserves
He got the respect he deserved by being called up, but as a journeyman infielder with no big league traits, this is the logical outcome. I wouldn’t bet on him ever seeing big league action again given his numbers.
He needs more respect
Why? He’s not good
Have you never heard of his story?
Sure I have. Plenty of guys have had the exact same career arc and never received “respect.” He was performing horribly in the minors when he got the call. Yes, it was cool, but it wasn’t deserved. The organization doesn’t owe him anything because he didn’t earn it since he’s less talented than his peers in AAA.
14 years, give him some credit bruh
He gets credit for sure, that doesn’t mean he deserves anything.
3 games is big money at 4,444 per game. Keep at it, it’s worth getting there.
A feel-good story for sure
I was there for his second major league game, and what has so far been his one and only start in the major leagues. Nice to see guys like him finally live the dream, even if its only for a week.
mlb1225,
Well said. He persevered through 14 years of the minors. All those bus rides… Maybe he will be a coach or a manager someday?
His three games with the Pirates this year was a heart warming good feel story!
Time for the Red Sox to call up Bill Lee…
Time for a Dennis Quaid movie.
A great story for a minor league lifer. Good on the Buc’s for giving him a few MLB at bats.
If this is the end of the MLB road as a player for Maggi, at the end of the day, he went 2 for 6 with the Pirates and not alot of guys can make that claim. So, fair play to him.
I wish him all the best. His story is fantastic.
That’s life
He is a gift