Parting Gift won't hurt Bucs' shortstop depth
Moroff, Rodriguez can back up Mercer in '18; top prospects on horizon
PITTSBURGH -- When the Pirates didn't call up Mpho' Ngoepe in September, which essentially served as their training ground for next season, it was a sign he may not be in their long-term plans.
Sure enough, Pittsburgh dealt the South African shortstop to Toronto on Monday for cash or a player to be named. It was not an easy move, as the 27-year-old Ngoepe was beloved within the organization for his dazzling defense, personality and perseverance. The main reason the Pirates felt comfortable parting ways with Ngoepe? They're confident in their short-term depth and long-term options at shortstop behind Jordy Mercer.
• Hot Stove Tracker
Signed out of South Africa in 2008, Ngoepe spent nine seasons in the Minors before he was called up in April. His journey defined hard work and unlikely success, and his first big league hit became an international feel-good story.
"A wonderful young man, a gifted defender, a great story," general manager Neal Huntington said. "As we look forward this year and beyond, we've got other players that we want to commit time, energy and a roster spot to. It does not take away from the energy and the enthusiasm and the defensive ability he brings to the baseball field and to a club."
But Ngoepe's bat never caught up with his glove. Although he showed some positive signs after giving up switch-hitting, he is a career .231 Minor League hitter, and he struck out in 26 of his 63 plate appearances for the Pirates.
"He earned his way to the big leagues," Huntington said. "But for a variety of reasons, we weren't able to get him to lock into that offensive approach consistently enough to go with what is a really talented defensive skill-set."
In September, Pittsburgh prioritized prospect Max Moroff, the 24-year-old switch-hitter who showed surprising power in Triple-A Indianapolis early last season but struggled initially in the Majors. Moroff quietly hit .278 with an .846 OPS in the second half, and the Pirates were pleased with his versatile infield defense.
The Bucs also reacquired veteran Sean Rodriguez, who started six games at shortstop for Pittsburgh this year and 19 last year. Rodriguez and Moroff are Mercer's most likely backups.
"We've got comfort with Sean being able to bounce over there and play the position. We have some depth and feel like Max can handle the position," Huntington said. "We like what Max was on path to do before we called him up, and certainly liked what he did at the end of the year offensively and defensively."
It's not as if the Pirates need frequent help for Mercer, who has played at least 145 games in three of the past four seasons. But Mercer, who hit a career-high 14 homers this year, will become a free agent after next season if his contract is not extended.
But there is no shortage of shortstop talent coming through the Pirates' system. Four of their Top 30 Prospects, according to MLBPipeline.com, are shortstops.
Kevin Newman, their first-round Draft pick in 2015 and No. 6 prospect, will return to Triple-A Indianapolis next season. Cole Tucker, their first-rounder in '14 and their No. 5 prospect, is behind him at Double-A Altoona. Stephen Alemais (No. 21) is a strong defender who is likely to start next season with Class A Advanced Bradenton, and Adrian Valerio (No. 30) took a step forward offensively this year for Class A West Virginia.
"We have Kevin Newman on the horizon and Cole Tucker on the horizon," Huntington said. "It is a spot where we feel like we have some depth."