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White Sox's Canaan Smith-Njigba: Catches on with South Siders
Smith-Njiba signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Aug. 7 and debuted with Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run.
Once a well-regarded prospect in the Pirates organization, Smith-Njigba hit .135 over 37 at-bats in the majors between the 2022 and 2023 seasons before he was moved off the 40-man roster in March. Smith-Njigba cleared waivers and stuck around with Pittsburgh at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he slashed just 212/.344/.330 over 219 plate appearances in the International League before he was cut loose in July. The 25-year-old outfielder has now found an opportunity in a new organization, but he'll likely still need to perform well at Birmingham and eventually Triple-A Charlotte for an extended stretch before he garners another look at the big-league level.
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Canaan Smith-Njigba: Heads to free agency
The Pirates released Smith-Njigba on Saturday.
Smith-Njigba struggled to find his footing with Triple-A Indianapolis through 54 games this season, slashing .212/.344/.330 with two home runs, 18 RBI, six stolen bases and 26 runs scored. He'll look to catch on with another organization on a minor-league deal.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Sent to Triple-A
Smith-Njigba cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.
Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment as the Pirates cleared space on their 40-man roster for the start of the season, but he'll remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old spent most of last season with Indianapolis and had an .839 OPS with 15 homers and 21 steals in 105 games.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Moved off 40-man roster
The Pirates designated Smith-Njigba for assignment Thursday.
Smith-Njigba was already set to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, but he will now be without a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man roster. The 24-year-old outfielder was DFA'd twice during the offseason -- once apiece by the Pirates and Mariners -- and he could once again be claimed off waivers after having a solid season at the Triple-A level in 2023.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Optioned to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Smith-Njigba has popped three home runs during Grapefruit League play but nonetheless finds himself sent to minor-league camp. The 24-year-old briefly landed with the Mariners this offseason via waivers before finding his way back to the Pirates.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Returns to Pittsburgh
The Pirates claimed Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Mariners on Monday.
Smith-Njigba will make his return to Pittsburgh after the Pirates previously dropped him from the 40-man roster earlier this month before the Mariners scooped him up off waivers. With Seattle designating him for assignment less than two weeks later, however, Smith-Njigba was able to reclaim a 40-man spot in Pittsburgh, after the Pirates opened up room for the outfielder Monday by placing JT Brubaker (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Smith-Njigba should join the Pirates for big-league spring training, but he has a minor-league option remaining and will most likely be sent to Triple-A Indianapolis before camp comes to a close.
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Mariners' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Designated for assignment
The Mariners designated Smith-Njigba for assignment Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Just 10 days after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh, Smith-Njigba will once again be removed from a team's 40-man roster. Smith-Njigba has slashed just .135/.250/.243 across 44 plate appearances in his big-league career, but he put up an .839 OPS in 445 plate appearances last season with the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate. His roster spot will be filled by Levi Stoudt, who was claimed off waivers from the Reds on Saturday.
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Mariners' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Claimed by Seattle
The Mariners claimed Smith-Njigba off waivers from the Pirates on Wednesday.
He joins younger brother and Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Pacific Northwest. Smith-Njigba (the baseball player) is just 5-for-37 during his brief time in the majors but slashed .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals in 2023 at Triple-A Indianapolis. He'll compete for an Opening Day roster spot but does have an option year remaining.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Designated for assignment
Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster as the Pirates make the signing of Aroldis Chapman official. Smith-Njigba has struggled during his brief chances in the majors the last two seasons, but he slashed .280/.366/.473 with 15 homers and 21 steals in 2023 at Triple-A Indianapolis and will turn just 25 in April, so there could be some interest on waivers.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Optioned to Indianapolis
Pittsburgh optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.
The move clears space on the 26-man active roster for Osvaldo Bido, as Bido had his contract selected from Indianapolis to make the start versus the Cubs on Wednesday. In 32 at-bats with Pittsburgh in 2023, Smith-Njigba has struggled to a .125/.216/.219 slash with no homers and one stolen bases along with an ugly 16:4 K:BB.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Recalled from Indianapolis
The Pirates recalled Smith-Njigba from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
The 24-year-old began the season with the Pirates but was optioned to Triple-A on April 26 after putting up just a .435 OPS through his first 37 plate appearances. Since then, he's slashed .245/.339/.547 with 22 RBI across 124 plate appearances in Indianapolis. Smith-Njigba will give the Pirates additional depth in the outfield, while Chase De Jong will be designated for assignment to free up a roster spot.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Optioned out to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Smith-Njigba to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Reliever Cody Bolton was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Smith-Njigba, 23, had slashed just .125/.216/.219 with 16 strikeouts through 14 games (37 plate appearances) this season.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Demotion coming
Smith-Njigba no longer has a locker in the Pirates' clubhouse at PNC Park, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
It appears that Smith-Njigba will be replaced on the roster by reliever Cody Bolton, although nothing is official yet. Smith-Njigba is just 4-for-32 with a 16:4 K:BB over 37 plate appearances this season.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Idle versus lefty
Smith-Njigba is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
Smith-Njigba will take a seat with southpaw Austin Gomber on the hill for Colorado, but the lefty-hitting outfielder has been included in the lineup for each of the past three occasions the Pirates have faced right-handed starting pitchers. With Ji-Man Choi (Achilles) likely out for at least eight weeks, Andrew McCutchen is expected to see most of his reps at designated hitter moving forward, clearing the runway for Smith-Njigba to stake a claim to a large-side platoon role in right field.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Playing time dwindling
Smith-Njigba is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
The lefty-hitting Smith-Njigba's absence from the lineup versus a tough southpaw (Framber Valdez) comes as little surprise, but the 23-year-old rookie's playing time versus right-handed pitching had already been trending down of late. He's made just one start in the last four games in which Pittsburgh has faced a righty, with Jack Suwinski and Ji Hwan Bae both seemingly moving ahead of Smith-Njigba in the outfield pecking order.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Gets breather Friday
Smith-Njigba will take a seat Friday versus the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Smith-Njigba will remain on the bench for a second straight game. Connor Joe will enter the lineup in right field and bat seventh in the series opener.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Sitting Wednesday
Smith-Njigba is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Red Sox.
Smith-Njigba will head to the bench after he went 1-for-6 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and four strikeouts over the first two games of the series. Bryan Reynolds will take over in left field while Jack Suwinski enters the lineup in right field and bats sixth in the series finale with Boston.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Heads to bench
Smith-Njigba will not start Saturday against the Reds.
Smith-Njigba got the start in right field on Opening Day against righty Hunter Greene, going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. With lefty Nick Lodolo on the hill in the second game of the year, Smith-Njigba will sit in favor of Connor Joe.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Surprise Opening Day starter
Smith-Njigba went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Reds.
Manager Derek Shelton rewarded the 23-year-old Smith-Njigba for an outstanding spring in which he slashed .333/.407/.583 with three homers and 14 RBI across 20 games. Not only did Smith-Njigba get the nod in right field, he hit fifth in the order behind Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Santana, and ahead of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski. He was later lifted for a defensive replacement, but it seems Smith-Njigba will get a look as a primary outfielder in Pittsburgh to start the season.
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Pirates' Canaan Smith-Njigba: Will be on Opening Day roster
Smith-Njigba will be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.
Smith-Njigba claimed the fourth outfielder role in Pittsburgh with a .340 batting average and 1.011 OPS through 47 at-bats of Grapefruit League play. He hit a three-run homer in the Pirates' final spring game Tuesday afternoon against the Twins. There's not much overall evidence hinting at immediate fantasy upside, but he has room to grow at age 23.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-0, 230 lbs |
| Birthplace: Dallas, TX |
| Age: 25 |
| Experience: R |
| Bats/Throws: L, R |