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Drew Maggi could soon make his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being called up to the bigs this weekend. The infielder has been battling for that opportunity for some time now.
Maggi has been a minor league ball player for more than a decade, playing 1,155 games at the MiLB level. The hard work and determination has paid off, and fans were ecstatic to hear the news.
Maggi was selected in the 15th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Pirates after leading Arizona State to the College World Series. He’s been a journeyman ever since.
The dynamic utility man, who plays second base, third base, and shortstop, has also spent time with the Angels, Dodgers, Guardians, Twins, and Phillies minor league affiliates.
In 2022, Maggi was dealt back to the team that drafted more than a decade ago. He’s now hoping to make his big league debut.
Pittsburgh’s social media team released a video clip of Drew Maggi getting the call up while in the locker room of double-A affiliate Altoona. He was obviously pumped to receive the call after playing more than 1,000 games throughout his minor league career.
But he wasn’t the only one.
Baseball fans online were quick to post reactions to social media as they congratulated the infielder on the good news.
This is everything ❤️🥹
— retroPels (@retro_pels) April 23, 2023
Major W for Maggi.
Drew Waggi
— FAX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFAX) April 23, 2023
You can’t help but be happy for the minor league vet.
😭 congratulations to him
— De Los (@heydodgersmary) April 23, 2023
Maggi’s call up comes as a direct result of a couple of losses on the Pirates’ roster. Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds hit the bereavement list this week, meaning he’ll miss a minimum of three games. First baseman Ji-Man Choi was also moved to the 60-day injured list as he deals with an Achilles strain.
The moves freed up space on the roster, which has been filled with Maggi.
It’s not the first time he’s been on an MLB roster, as he briefly spent time on the Twins but didn’t make an appearance. Hopefully, he’ll get his Major League debut with Pittsburgh.