PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He's got a cool nickname. His walk-up music is Springsteen. He's pitched in a game as a position player. He's got the makings of a fan favorite in just three games.
Pirates first baseman John Nogowski put himself in that position most importantly because he's having success.
Dealing with injuries to first baseman Colin Moran and to fill-ins Phillip Evans and Erik Gonzalez. The Pirates were searching for an answer. Saw Nogowski, who was on the Cardinals Opening Day roster and designated for assignment. GM Ben Cherington sent cash to the Cardinals for his contract.
Nogowski was home in Florida thinking about his future, quickly packed up for Pittsburgh and started his first day in black and gold. The 6', 245 pound right-hand hitter went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored his first game Monday. Followed than up with a 1 for 3 and then Wednesday went 4 for 5 with a scoreless inning of relief in the ninth.
"I was happy with the series," Nogowski said. "I thought that I stuck to my plan and did a good job trying to set the table for these guys. My strike zone was good. Trying to get off to a good start."
Coming into Monday's game, Nogowski was 1 for 18 in his time with the Cardinals this year. Now the 34th round pick of the A's in 2014 is swapping information with two of the best hitters in the game this year.
"Comfortable talking to Frazier to BR (Bryan Reynolds) and some of these guys about what these pitchers are doing," Nogowski said. "How they are going to attack us. How they are attacking him. How they are attacking me. To be able to make an in-game adjustment, that's a really nice thing to be able to do."
To that point, 17 of the at bats Nogowski had in St. Louis were as a pinch-hitter. The reason he was excited to come to the Pirates obviously wasn't because of their record. Rather he would finally get some starts in the majors.
"To be able to build off one at bat and take it to the next one," Nogowski said. "The comfort-level for me is raised because I'm able to see a guy more than once and have more than one shot at him."
"Really consistent at bats," said Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "He had 4 hits, (faced 3 batters pitching) in a scoreless ninth inning (Wednesday). He continues to impress. He continues to have good at bats. He continues to be good defensively."
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
'The Big Nogowski'. We don't know how long the ride will be, we'll enjoy it with you.
