The Pirates have hired a second Eckstein brother this offseason.
On Saturday, the Pirates announced that former major league infielder David Eckstein is being added to the front office as a special assistant to the baseball operations department. His brother, Rick Eckstein, was named hitting coach in November.
David Eckstein was the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 World Series when he hit .364 in the Cardinals’ five-game victory over the Tigers. He played in the majors for 10 seasons from 2001-10.
“David Eckstein brings intelligence, intensity and a unique drive and energy to the Pirates organization,” Neal Huntington said in a statement released by the team. “David’s strengths will be an asset for our major league team and player development system as a teacher and mentor. We are elated to add a quality person with an extensive playing background to our organization.”
Eckstein was a spring training guest infield instructor for the Angels the last two years, a role he also served in from 2012-15. In 2016, Eckstein was a spring training assistant in the Diamondbacks’ baseball operations department.
The 43-year-old also worked in various capacities for USA Baseball’s 18U national team from 2012-16.
Eckstein batted .280/.345/.355 with 35 home runs and 123 stolen bases in 1,311 career games with the Angels (2001-04), Cardinals (2005-07), Blue Jays (2008), Diamondbacks (2008) and Padres (2009-10). He also won a World Series ring with the Angels in 2002.
