Pirates OF Canaan Smith-Njigba showed resolve in recovery, now wants to flash power

In his own words, Canaan Smith-Njigba was rolling. Then the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder took a tumble that abruptly ended his season.

Smith-Njigba isn’t going to allow it to ruin his dream.

The 23-year-old became the first Pirates player in nine years to record an extra-base hit in his first plate appearance, getting a double in his debut, in the first game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. He drew a walk in his third game a day later.

Only three games into his major league career, Smith-Njigba suffered a nondisplaced fracture of the schaphoid bone in his right wrist in an awkward landing after an outfield collision with Bryan Reynolds.

“I was rolling. I was getting on base every day. I was helping the team, and I was just really good and very comfortable. Then I broke my bone in my wrist,” Smith-Njigba said. “First bone I ever broke ever in my life. Mentally, I was a little down because I made it to my childhood dream, and to be hurt very early on was a bummer. But adversity ain’t nothing new to me. So I look at it and make the most of it.”

Pirates manager Derek Shelton called the timing of Smith-Njigba’s injury “an unfortunate thing,” giving him credit and showing appreciation for playing through the pain to take two more at-bats.

“He’s worked really hard to get here, so we talked about working to get back and what he needed to do,” Shelton said. “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.”

That was difficult for Smith-Njigba, as he was unable to throw a baseball or swing a bat until December. So he spent the offseason trying to stay in shape so he would be ready to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster at spring training.

Now that Smith-Njigba has shown his resolve, the 6-foot, 230-pounder wants to start flashing his power. He has a career .387 on-base percentage in five years in the minor leagues but has hit double-digit home runs only once, when he slashed .307/.405/.466 with 32 doubles, 11 home runs and 74 RBIs in 124 games at Class A Charleston in the New York Yankees farm system.

After missing the 2020 season because of the covid-19 pandemic, Smith-Njigba was one of four players dealt to the Pirates in the Jameson Taillon trade. After 66 games at Double-A Altoona in 2021 he was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis then played in the Arizona Fall League, where he had a .452 OBP.

Smith-Njigba earned his promotion to the Pirates last June thanks to a strong start at Indianapolis, where he slashed .277/.387/.408 with 15 doubles in 52 games. But he had only one home run. His powerful build hasn’t translated to homers. But he opened eyes by smashing a shot off the batter’s eye in straightaway center against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota last spring.

“The power is there,” Smith-Njigba said. “The (exit) velo is there. I just want everyone to see it so there’s no more questions about it. The guys know. Everyone knows. But I’ve got to let everyone else know.”

Smith-Njigba is trying to separate himself from a crowded list of candidates for the fourth spot in the outfield this spring, which includes Connor Joe, Cal Mitchell, Travis Swaggerty and Ryan Vilade.

Going 2 for 3 with a pair of singles in a Grapefruit League game against the Yankees on Saturday helped his cause. Smith-Njigba is batting .278 with a .409 OBP with five RBIs and three runs but has seven strikeouts and three walks.

“The competition is really with myself, becoming an everyday ballplayer, performing every day and just staying consistent,” Smith-Njigba said. “It’s not really about competing with others. I know if I do what I have to do, my game speaks for itself. I get on base. You’ve got to get on base to score runs.

“Not just getting on base — getting on base, obviously, helps — but running, throwing, playing defense and being a team guy. I’m trying to be one of the leaders in the clubhouse, too, trying to help the team win.”

Ranked the Pirates’ No. 20 prospect by Baseball American and No. 28 by MLB Pipeline, Smith-Njigba is eager to put that status behind him and become a full-time major leaguer. He’s hoping that happens March 30 at Cincinnati. If not, he promises to be ready when it comes.

“One way or the other,” Smith-Njigba said, “until a spot is solidified.”