Mets' Sammy Stafura: Headed to Mets in Weaver deal
Rotowire
The Mets acquired Stafura from the Pirates on Monday in exchange for right-hander Luke Weaver and cash considerations, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
Stafura will be on the move for the second trade deadline in a row, after the Pirates previously acquired him last July as part of the deal that sent third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to Cincinnati. A 21-year-old shortstop, Stafura possess good range at the position but may need to eventually move down the positional spectrum to second base or center field. Stafura had been enjoying a strong season at the plate for High-A Greensboro, mashing 19 home runs and going 16-for-17 on stolen-base attempts while slashing .301/.365/.656 over 211 plate appearances.
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Pirates' Sammy Stafura: Shipped to Pittsburgh in Hayes deal
Rotowire
The Pirates acquired Stafura, left-hander Taylor Rogers and cash considerations from the Reds on Wednesday in exchange for third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Taylor is a battle-tested reliever, but Stafura, a 20-year-old infielder, is the more intriguing long-term piece for the Pirates. A 2023 second-round pick, Stafura has spent the entire season at Single-A Daytona, slashing .262/.393/.411 with four home runs wile going 28-for-33 on stolen-base attempts over 401 plate appearances. Stafura is likely to report to the Pirates' Florida State League affiliate in Bradenton.
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Reds' Sammy Stafura: Success carrying over at Single-A
Rotowire
Stafura is slashing .294/.351/.441 with one home run, one steal and a 13.5 percent strikeout rate in eight games since getting promoted to Single-A Daytona.
He was dreadful in the Arizona Complex League in a small sample last year (.071 AVG, 43.4 K%) after getting drafted with the No. 43 overall pick, but Stafura seems to have adjusted better to pro pitching in his first full season. He hit .345 with a .486 BABIP and 29 percent strikeout rate in the ACL this year as a 19-year-old, and the real test will be how he fares over a long stretch against Single-A pitchers. Given that he was a prep hitter from the Northeast, it would make sense that he would be a bit of a late bloomer.
