In this edition of the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect update series, we focus on outfielder Miguel Andújar, who delivered an outstanding season at Triple-A and earned end-of-season MVP honors from the Indianapolis Indians. Andújar was among the most productive hitters in all of baseball, posting an impressive .338/.404/.536 slash line with a .941 OPS between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. In 26 appearances with the Pirates, he contributed significantly while racking up over 100 RBIs across all levels.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Andújar originally signed as an international free agent with the New York Yankees in 2011. He quickly made an impact, setting a franchise record for most RBIs in a player's first game and enjoying a breakout season in 2018. That year, he ranked among the top 15 in the American League in doubles, home runs, hits, batting average, OPS, slugging percentage, and total bases. However, injuries and a series of Triple-A demotions derailed his momentum, eventually leading him to request a trade. The Pirates claimed him off waivers after his departure from New York.https://www.pinterest.com/pin/866661522045044788

Andújar signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last November but was optioned to Triple-A following the signing of Andrew McCutchen. Despite the setback, he dominated at the plate throughout the 2023 season, showing flashes of the player he once was in New York. While he may no longer be considered a top-tier prospect, his performance suggests he still has plenty to offer at the Major League level.

The Pirates selected Andújar’s contract on September 1st, and he has seen increased playing time since. While no contract extension has been discussed yet, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to explore ways to keep one of their most productive Triple-A players in the mix for a Major League role next season. Given the Pirates’ ongoing need for offensive firepower, Andújar could be a key piece in their lineup moving forward.