PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He has the flexibility to play any of the infield positions and can play outfield as well. With injuries to Nick Gonzales, Joshua Palacios and Ji Hwan Bae the Bucs traded for Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
In 82 games this year, Kiner-Falefa hit .292 with a .758 OPS with eight doubles, two triples and seven home runs. This season the 29-year-old right-handed hitter has played 40 games at second, 38 at third, 15 at short, he’s pitched in two games and played a game in center.
It’s a career-year in terms of OPS and is second-best in his seven years in the majors with a 1.9 offensive war and 1.6 defensive war. He is signed for one more season at $7.5 million. He’s played in 729 career MLB games with a .264 average/.317 on-base and .670 OPS
Kiner-Falefa has been named the recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award three times in his career (twice with the Rangers, once with the Yankees), which is presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
Bucs give up Charlies McAdoo, a 22-year-old, right-handed outfielder. A 13th round Pirates draft pick last year out of San Jose State, McAdoo is hitting .315/.394 on base with a .932 OPS between High A and AA with 21 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs. Promoted to Altoona on June 22, he’s hitting .269 with 12 extra base hits and a .837 OPS in AA.
McAdoo is a distant cousin of basketball Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo while Kiner-Falefa is related to Ralph Kiner, the Hall of Famer whose number 4 is retired by the Pirates. He is a fourth cousin on his mother’s side and now will wear the same uniform.
Related
