ST. LOUIS – The Pirates have been hydrating and preparing for this series against the Cardinals since before they left Pittsburgh last week. Every day in St. Louis between Monday and Wednesday has a high of 99 degrees with humidity. On Tuesday, they’ll play a doubleheader.
Canaan Smith-Njigba doesn’t mind it.
“I’m from Texas,” he joked. “I’m used to this. I played football. I had two-a-days in high heat. What they say? ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ ”
It’s no surprise Smith-Njigba is willing to play through anything. He’s a big-leaguer now. On Monday, the Pirates promoted the 23-year-old outfielder, their No. 21 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
In 218 plate appearances with Class AAA Indianapolis, he has slashed .277/.387/.408 with one home run, 19 RBIs, 31 runs scored and eight stolen bases.
“He's been playing really well over the last, probably, three weeks,” Derek Shelton said in the Busch Stadium visitor’s dugout. “Done a really nice job, ability to play both corners. An opportunity that he deserved.”
One of the four players the Pirates got back from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade, one skill set that has stood out for Smith-Njigba is his ability to draw walks, working a free pass in over 15% of his plate appearances this season. It’s a part of his game that he’s steadily gotten better at as he's risen through the minors.
"I think that's one of the things we really like about him,” Shelton said. “He has the ability to control at-bats. That's really important at the major-league level, and it's something we want to see and hope to see translate at the major-league level."
Smith-Njigba got the news during a 30-minute conversation with Indianapolis manager Miguel Pérez. During their call, Smith-Njigba didn’t know the news was coming.
“I thought it was just a manager checking up on a player,” Smith-Njigba said. “Then, he surprised me.”
Looking around the Pirates’ locker room, there are plenty of other rookies who got a similar call this season.
“I’ve seen a lot of these dudes who are here now get that phone call and had the team around when they got the call,” Smith-Njigba said. “It was cool. They had their moment. I was happy to witness their moment because I know how hard they worked. But I’m happy today that I’m here with the team. Today’s my moment.”
One of those players who had previously had their moment was Travis Swaggerty, who was promoted to the majors last week. He was optioned back to Class AAA Indianapolis Monday to make room for Smith-Njigba.
Playing time was the main reason cited for Swaggerty’s demotion. After the minor-league season was canceled in 2020, Swaggerty was limited to just 12 games in 2021 because he dislocated his shoulder diving back on a pickoff attempt.
With fellow rookies Cal Mitchell and Jack Suwinski also needing starter reps, Swaggerty was the odd man out this time.
Even if his stint with the team was just for a few days, Swaggerty left a good impression.
“I think it was important for him to be up here and see the speed of the game because of the fact he's missed so much time,” Shelton said. “And I think it was important for the staff to get a look at him because it's been shortened looks over the last two years because of the injury. But this is a kid we really liked. He's got a lot of tools. He has the ability to impact the game in different ways, and we just need to get him down and get him more reps."
For now, it’s Smith-Njigba’s turn in The Show.
“I definitely feel like I belong here,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m ready to play. I’m ready to compete. It’s also good having all the other guys here. We definitely make each other better. The competition isn’t with them. The competition is with myself. So, if I can do what I have to do and control what I can control and help this team win, then that’s really all that matters at the end of the day.”
