Pirates A to Z: After doubling in debut, Canaan Smith-Njigba suffered season-ending injury

During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Miguel Andujar to pitcher Bryse Wilson.

Player: Canaan Smith-Njigba

Position: Outfielder

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

Age: 23 (April 30)

Height: 6 foot

Weight: 230 pounds

2022 MLB statistics: Went 1 for 5 (.200) with a double and a walk in three games

Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration

Acquired: From the New York Yankees, along with pitchers Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure and middle infielder Maikol Escotto, in a trade for pitcher Jameson Taillon in January 2021

This past season: Smith-Njigba started the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he slashed .277/.387/.408 with 15 doubles, three triples, a home run and 19 RBIs in 52 games.

The Pirates liked Smith-Njigba’s on-base percentage, especially after he reached base safely in 40 of his first 41 games, and promoted him and Hoy Park on June 13 when they optioned outfielder Travis Swaggerty and lefty reliever Aaron Fletcher.

Canaan Smith-Njigba was dialed in for his walk out onto the field. Sharing this moment with the fans is nothing short of amazing. Chills. #Pirates #Pittsburgh #PittsburghPirates #IndianapolisIndians #MLB #OhioState #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/K3UaXhlbA3

— Out of Pocket Sports (@OutofPoSports) June 14, 2022

Smith-Njigba made his major league debut with two outs in the ninth inning in the first game of a doubleheader at St. Louis, when he got the call to pinch hit for Yu Chang.

“I’ve been waiting a very long time for this moment,” Smith-Njigba said. “When my name is called, I’m going to be out there and be ready to play and step into the box and do what I’ve got to do to help the team win.”

Smith-Njigba doubled to left-center off Giovanny Gallegos for his first major league hit to become the first Pirates player to record an extra-base hit in his first MLB plate appearance since Tony Sanchez doubled in his debut June 23, 2013.

“I stayed in my approach,” Smith-Njigba said. “I didn’t want to be the last out of the game, so I definitely wanted to do what I can to get the next guy up. I’m just happy he threw the fastball there and I hit it and my name’s in the books.”

Canaan Smith-Njigba rips a double in his first MLB at-bat! pic.twitter.com/EyJG4lqN67

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 14, 2022

His debut came five years and one day after Smith-Njigba was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Yankees, who dealt him to the Pirates in the Jameson Taillon trade. AT&T SportsNet’s cameras captured his parents, brother Jaxon — an aspiring NFL wide receiver who played at Ohio State — and coaches from Rockwall-Heath (Texas) High School celebrating the milestone.

“It’s a true testament to our family,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m just excited. I’m just happy that we get to share this moment. We’re all here. I’m happy that eveyrone came and got here safely and got to see me get my first big-league hit. It’s just amazing. I’m just very happy to be here, honestly. … That wasn’t just my hit. That’s everyone’s hit that’s on my side.”

“It was a dream come true.”

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba talks about his brother Canaan’s Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this summer.#B1GMediaDays pic.twitter.com/C2tqmvViDA

— Tyler Danburg (@TylerDanburg) July 27, 2022

It was Smith-Njigba’s only hit last season.

He went 0 for 2 with a pair of groundouts to second and was hit by a pitch in the second game of the doubleheader, when Miles Mikolas came one strike away from tossing a no-hitter before rookie Cal Mitchell doubled with two outs in the ninth.

In a 6-4 win over the Cardinals on June 15, Smith-Njigba injured his right wrist in a collision with center fielder Bryan Reynolds. Smith-Njigba braced himself with his right hand to break his fall. He remained in the game for two more at-bats, a fly out to deep left and a grounder to short for a forceout.

“I felt it, but I was competing,” Smith-Njigba said. “I didn’t really pay much mind to it because I knew I was coming up to bat. The energy out there was so great. I just wanted to be out there and continue playing.

“I felt it, but I had a lot of adrenaline going. I just wanted to get my swing off and put a good swing on the ball. Hopefully something good would happen. I almost hit one out, but it didn’t go. I felt it when I was up there.”

That Smith-Njigba, who was eventually replaced in left field by Jack Suwinski, showed a willingness to play through pain didn’t go unnoticed by Pirates manager Derek Shelton.

“I give him a ton of credit because he took two more at-bats and kept pushing off but just got to the point where it was bothering him,” Shelton said. “When I talked to him, I just told him how much I appreciated that he grinded through two at-bats. This is a kid that’s played three games in the big leagues. It’s an unfortunate thing. He’s worked really hard to get here, so we talked about working to get back and what he needed to do. He got his first big-league hit. Let’s highlight the positive things. I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s going to work hard to get back to where he needs to be.”

Smith-Njigba suffered a nondisplaced fracture of the scaphoid bone in his right wrist, which proved to be a season-ending injury.

“I didn’t think it was that serious,” Smith-Njigba said. “It was just something I was trying to shake out. But after the game, man, I was really feeling it. It was really bruised up. I knew something could happen after the game. I never broke anything in my whole, entire life. I was kind of shocked that it happened three days into my big league debut.”

Smith-Njigba was placed on the 60-day injured list on June 17.

“It’s a bummer. It’s a bummer,” Smith-Njigba said. “But I’ll use this time to get better, get in better shape. When I get back out there, ready to play and help this team win.”

The future: That Smith-Njigba remained with the Pirates during his rehabilitation was a good sign, as he promised to soak up as much as he could from his major league teammates.

“You can never stop learning in this game,” Smith-Njigba said. “I’m just going to continue working on my craft. Just get better on and off the field, get with the trainers, get bigger, stronger, faster. Then come back ready to compete again and help this team win.”

It was, however, a lost opportunity to get meaningful playing time in a season where the Pirates used rookies Mitchell, Suwinski, Swaggerty, Ji Hwan Bae, Diego Castillo, Bligh Madris and Tucupita Marcano in the outfield.

The good news is that the Pirates protected Smith-Njigba on their 40-man roster, parting ways with veterans Greg Allen, Ben Gamel and Jake Marisnick. They added Miguel Andujar in September and claimed Ryan Vilade off waivers in November, so Smith-Njigba will have to continue to compete in spring training for a spot on the Opening Day roster.