Drew Maggi spent a lifetime chasing his dream of playing in the major leagues, but the two-hour drive from Altoona to Pittsburgh gave the 33-year-old infielder time to reflect on the journey by looking at photos from his 12 stops with six organizations over five minor-league levels.

“It was a good little ride,” Maggi said, “staring out the window and thinking, ‘Get me there before something happens.’ ”

Maggi is baseball’s modern-day Crash Davis, going from the Eastern League to the Pacific Coast League and playing everywhere in between, but he finally arrived at PNC Park 13 years after the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 15th round out of Arizona State in 2010.

The Pirates promoted Maggi from their Double-A affiliate Sunday, when they placed outfielder Bryan Reynolds on bereavement leave and made room on the 40-man roster by moving first baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (left Achilles) to the 60-day injured list. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM that Reynolds is expected to return Tuesday for the Los Angeles Dodgers series, so Maggi’s stay could be short-lived. Even so, the 6-foot, 192-pounder, who has played mostly shortstop, second base and third base, brought four gloves with him just in case there’s a chance he could play first base or in the outfield.

After 13 seasons in the minors, Drew Maggi held out hope that he would play in the majors. The Pirates called up the 33-year-old infielder Sunday. pic.twitter.com/tujQOW509h

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) April 23, 2023

“It’s been a special 24 hours and crazy. I’m very thankful to the Pirates for doing this for me. Just being here and walking through the clubhouse, it’s been a dream come true,” Maggi said. “I always believed this moment would come. There was a little bit of me that was like, ‘You love playing baseball. Keep going, no matter where you’re at.’ Crazy things happen in this game. So I’m very thankful that I’m here and I get to enjoy this. I’m excited for the day.”

After 1,154 games in the minors, Maggi can’t wait for his first in the majors. He earned Eastern League All-Star honors for the Altoona Curve in 2014, then was a Texas League All-Star the next two seasons, with the Los Angeles Angels in 2015 and Dodgers in 2016. He signed with Cleveland in 2017 but served a 50-game suspension for amphetamine use, then was an MiLB.com organizational All-Star for the Twins in 2019 and spent the pandemic-shortened 2020 season at their alternate site.

The Pirates acquired Maggi from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash last August and sent him to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he was reunited with Miguel Perez, a former Curve teammate and now the Indians’ manager, and former infield instructor Gary Green.

“It’s special. This was where it all started,” Maggi said of the Pirates. “This whole year has been a big flashback to my younger self. I’m really happy with the way that it all turned out. Thirteen years is really hard. There’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of different people, injuries, stuff that happens. You never know when your days are numbered. Being here, it kind of feels right, like it was supposed to happen.”

It’s been a hell of a journey for Drew Maggi. pic.twitter.com/KPjXxLSj1B

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 23, 2023

Maggi hoped a strong spring training would help him make the Opening Day roster, as he batted .344 (11 for 32) with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs in 26 Grapefruit League games.

“I knew it was possible, but I’ve thought that a lot of times,” Maggi said. “I’ve had some good seasons where I was like, ‘I feel ready. I feel like this is the year,’ and it just didn’t happen.”

Instead, Maggi was sent to Altoona, where it was back to the grind. He was batting .194 (6 for 31) in eight games when he got the call Saturday. Pirates manager Derek Shelton greeted Maggi with a warm, congratulatory hug. Shelton later shared his “personal affinity” for Maggi, dating to their days in the Twins organization and their time together at spring training.

“To see him walk into a major league clubhouse … it’s cool,” Shelton said. “The way people feel about Drew Maggi in this organization … when I told a couple guys yesterday, ‘Hey, this is what we’re going to do,’ the smile on players’ faces said it all.”

Maggi found his locker between Andrew McCutchen and Choi, with his last name on a white No. 39 home jersey. It was hard to tell whether Maggi was more excited about joining the hottest team in the majors or shedding the dubious label of “phantom player.”

Drew Maggi wants to put “phantom player” in his past after spending two days in the majors with the Minnesota Twins in ‘21 without playing in a game. pic.twitter.com/pIKz13oIHL

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) April 23, 2023

Maggi spent two days in the majors with the Minnesota Twins without playing a game in September 2021, when Rob Refsnyder was sidelined by an elbow injury. Maggi had come so close to realizing his dream but still is waiting to play in his first MLB game.

“I don’t think you’d find a person in here that’s not wanting that, right?” said outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe, a former Pirates draft pick who was reacquired in the fall. “Everyone’s goal in here, including Drew, is to win a ballgame. Hopefully, that opportunity presents itself. If he does, I know he’s prepared. I know he’s ready to help the team. I really want it to happen. I really do. Such a good dude. I know he cares about the team, wants this team to win. He’s a great clubhouse guy, but I want him to make an impact on the field — and I know he will. He’s ready.”

Never give up on your dream. ???? pic.twitter.com/rRlenZBSZn

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 23, 2023

Although Shelton hoped to use Maggi in the game if a situation allowed, Maggi didn’t play in Sunday’s 2-0 win over the Reds. Maggi got no guarantees he would play, nor did he make any demands.

“No, I didn’t. I probably should get it in writing,” Maggi said, with a laugh. “I’m excited to be here. This team is playing really well, vibing really well. I’m just kind of here to try to be a small part in the winning mindset that’s going on around here. As my name’s called, I’m ready to go. I’ve been waiting 13 years to see that first pitch. I’ll be ready.”

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