Miguel Andújar

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Miguel Andújar

|image = Miguel Andújar.jpg

|image_size = 250px

|caption = Miguel Andújar with the Yankees in 2018

|width = 300

|team = Athletics

|number = 22

|position = Left Fielder / Third Baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|3|2}}

|birth_place = San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 28

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = New York Yankees

|statyear = April 15, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .273

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 44

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 186

|awards =

|teams =

New York Yankees ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Oakland Athletics / Athletics ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Miguel Enrique Andújar (born March 2, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball left fielder and third baseman for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a third baseman for the Yankees, Andújar finished second in 2018 American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Shohei Ohtani. He hit 47 doubles, breaking Joe DiMaggio's 1936 record for most by a Yankees rookie. Owing to several injuries, he never played a full season for the Yankees again and was eventually designated for assignment in 2022.

Early life

Andújar was born in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic.

Career

=New York Yankees=

==Minor leagues==

Andújar signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in July 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-75955380|title=RiverDogs' Andujar flashes power stroke|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=November 23, 2014}} He made his professional debut in 2012 with the Gulf Coast Yankees. He played the 2013 season for the Gulf Coast Yankees 2 and the 2014 season for the Charleston RiverDogs of the Single-A South Atlantic League. In 2015, Andújar played for the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League. He started 2016 with Tampa before being promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League.{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20160614/SPORTS/160619864|title=Miguel Andujar makes jump to Double-A; Kyle Higashioka returns with hot bat|work=The Trentonian|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/thunder/2016/06/miguel_andujar_chance_adams_ar.html|title=Miguel Andujar, Chance Adams arrive to bolster Thunder|work=NJ.com|date=June 15, 2016 |access-date=November 19, 2016}} After the 2016 season he played in the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/10/20/unheralded-yankees-prospect-making-waves-in-fall-league/|title=Yankees' rising prospect putting Chase Headley on notice already|first=George A.|last=King III|date=October 21, 2016|access-date=November 19, 2016}} The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the season.{{cite web|url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/209196244/yankees-add-six-prospects-to-40-man-roster/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119120328/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/209196244/yankees-add-six-prospects-to-40-man-roster/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2016|title=Yankees add six prospects to 40-man roster|work=MLB.com|access-date=November 19, 2016}} Andújar began the 2017 season with Trenton, and he batted .312 with seven home runs and 52 runs batted in (RBIs), which were leading the Eastern League, through 67 games. Following a season-ending injury to Gleyber Torres in June, he was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Triple-A International League.{{cite web|author=timesleader |url=https://timesleader.com/sports/railriders/664800/railriders-weekend-feature-miguel-andujar-adapting-well-to-triple-a |title=RailRiders Weekend Feature: Miguel Andujar adapting well to Triple-A |publisher=Times Leader |date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2017}}

==Major leagues==

File:Miguel Andujar (44218217642).jpg

After playing in seven games with the RailRiders, the Yankees promoted Andújar to the major leagues on June 28, when Matt Holliday, the Yankees designated hitter, went on the disabled list.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-call-up-third-base-prospect-miguel-andujar-1.13769648 |title=Yankees call up third-base prospect Miguel Andujar |work=Newsday |date=February 24, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2017}} He made his major league debut as the Yankees' designated hitter that day against the Chicago White Sox, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a walk, breaking the Yankees' record for most RBIs in a player's first game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/miguel-andujar-sets-yankees-record-with-4-rbis-c239442966|title=Miguel Andujar sets Yankees record with 4 RBIs|publisher=Major League Baseball|language=en-US|access-date=June 30, 2017}} The next day, the Yankees sent him back down to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, so that he could continue to play every game as a third baseman.{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-bring-back-chris-carter-send-miguel-andujar-back-to-triple-a-1.13773868|title=Yankees bring back Chris Carter, send Miguel Andujar back to Triple-A|work=Newsday|date=June 29, 2017|first=Erik|last=Boland|access-date=June 29, 2017}} Following the conclusion of the RailRiders' season, where Andujar had batted .317 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 58 games, the Yankees promoted him to the major leagues on September 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2017/09/how_the_yankees_will_use_the_intriguing_miguel_and.html|title=How the Yankees will use the intriguing Miguel Andujar|work=NJ.com|first=Brendan|last=Kuty|date=September 16, 2017|access-date=September 16, 2017}}

Andújar began the 2018 season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but was promoted to the major leagues on April 1 after an injury to Billy McKinney.{{cite web|last=King |first=George A. |url=https://nypost.com/2018/04/01/how-yankees-are-trying-to-squeeze-miguel-andujar-into-majors/ |title=How Yankees are trying to squeeze Miguel Andujar into majors |publisher=Nypost.com |date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2019}} He hit his first major league home run on April 17. On April 23, Andújar hit a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins, marking his 7th consecutive game with an extra base hit. Andújar joined Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees to ever have 7 consecutive games with an extra base hit under the age of 24. On May 4, Andujar hit his first career walk-off, an RBI single to secure a 7-6 win over the Cleveland Indians.{{cite web|title=Miguel Andujar walks off as Yankees win 7-6 over Indians|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23408899/miguel-andujar-new-york-yankees-first-career-walk-hit-win-cleveland-indians|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 4, 2018}} On June 5, he hit his first major league grand slam. On September 29, Andujar hit his 45th double of the season, breaking the Yankees' record for most doubles by a rookie, previously held by Joe DiMaggio.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Dan |title=Miguel Andujar unseats Joe DiMaggio in Yankees record book |url=https://nypost.com/2018/09/29/miguel-andujar-unseats-joe-dimaggio-in-yankees-record-book/ |access-date=September 30, 2018 |work=New York Post |issue=September 29 |date=September 29, 2018}} With the Yankees, he batted .297/.328/.527, and saw the lowest percentage of fastballs of all MLB hitters (46.0%).{{cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,a |title=Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Batters » Pitch Type Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball |publisher=Fangraphs.com |date=April 5, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019}} He finished second in the Rookie of the Year Award balloting, behind Shohei Ohtani.{{cite web|url=https://www.sny.tv/yankees/news/shohei-ohtani-beats-yankees-miguel-andujar-for-al-rookie-of-the-year/300584480|title=Shohei Ohtani beats Yankees' Miguel Andujar for AL Rookie of the Year|website=SNY|access-date=May 4, 2019}}

On April 1, 2019, Andújar went on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain.{{cite web|last=Hoch |first=Bryan |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/miguel-andujar-to-injured-list-with-shoulder-injury |title=Miguel Andujar to injured list with shoulder injury |work=MLB.com |date=April 1, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019}} He was diagnosed with a partial glenoid labrum tear, but chose to rehabilitate the injury rather than undergo surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-sports-yankees-miguel-andujar-labrum-tear-20190403-5hkyzbwt3bhejnup7krjj7ople-story.html|title=Miguel Andujar will try to play through labrum tear, return this season|first=Kristie|last=Ackert|website=nydailynews.com|date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=May 4, 2019}} The Yankees activated him on May 4.{{cite web|last=Hoch |first=Bryan |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return |title=Miguel Andujar set to return from shoulder injury |work=MLB.com |access-date=May 4, 2019}} He batted 3-for-34 before was placed back on the injured list on May 13. On May 15, Andujar was ruled out for the rest of 2019 after revealing that he needed surgery on his right shoulder.{{cite web|last=Martin |first=Dan |url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/15/miguel-andujars-season-ends-with-surgery-in-yankees-blow/ |title=Miguel Andujar injury: Yankees star to have season-ending surgery |publisher=Nypost.com |date=May 15, 2019 |access-date=August 6, 2020}} He underwent surgery on May 20.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/05/doctor-explains-yankees-miguel-andujars-long-tough-recovery-ahead.html |title=Doctor explains Yankees' Miguel Andujar's long, tough recovery ahead |publisher=nj.com |date=May 20, 2019 |accessdate=April 26, 2022}}

Andújar made his return in spring training in 2020, where he began playing as a left fielder.{{cite web|last=King |first=George A. |url=https://nypost.com/2020/02/28/yankees-miguel-andujar-outfield-experiment-succeeding-so-far/ |title=Yankees' Miguel Andujar outfield experiment succeeding so far |publisher=Nypost.com |date=February 28, 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2020}} He began the season batting 1-for-14 (.071) before the Yankees optioned him to their alternate training site.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2020/08/yankees-fill-out-roster-by-calling-up-nick-tropeano-after-farming-out-miguel-andujar-2-others.html |title=Yankees fill-out roster by calling up Nick Tropeano after farming out Miguel Andujar, 2 others |publisher=nj.com |date=August 6, 2020 |accessdate=April 26, 2022}}

Andújar was placed on the injured list in early July 2021 with a strained wrist. After suffering a setback in his rehab, Andújar was transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 23.{{cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2021/08/23/zack-britton-injury-yankees-send-pitcher-injured-list/8243335002/ |title=Zack Britton injury: Yankees send pitcher to injured list |publisher=Northjersey.com |date= |accessdate=April 26, 2022}}

On March 22, 2022, Andújar signed a $1.3 million contract with the Yankees, avoiding salary arbitration.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/arbtracker2022|title=Arbitration Tracker For 2022|access-date=March 23, 2022|website=MLBTradeRumors}} He began the year with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but was later recalled.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/news/miggy-pop-andujar-leads-swb-to-win |title=Miggy Pop: Andújar leads SWB to win |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2022}} On June 4, 2022, Andújar was optioned down to Triple-A Scranton and promptly requested to be traded from the Yankees.{{Cite web|title=Miguel Andújar requests trade from Yankees after being sent back to minors, per report|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/miguel-andujar-requests-trade-from-yankees-after-being-sent-back-to-minors-per-report/amp/|access-date=February 8, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

On September 8, Andújar hit his first home run in over 14 months, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} On September 22, 2022, Andújar was designated for assignment by the Yankees.{{cite web | url=https://nypost.com/2022/09/23/miguel-andujars-yankees-downfall-complete-after-dfa/ | title=Miguel Andujar's Yankees downfall complete with DFA | date=September 23, 2022 }}

= Pittsburgh Pirates =

On September 25, 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Andújar off waivers.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/pirates-add-miguel-andujar-after-yankees-designate-former-rookie-of-the-year-runner-up-for-assignment/ | title=Pirates add Miguel Andújar after Yankees designate former Rookie of the Year runner-up for assignment | date=September 25, 2022 }} He played in 9 games for Pittsburgh down the stretch, hitting .250/.275/.389 with no home runs and 9 RBI. The Pirates signed Andújar to a one-year contract worth $1.525 million, avoiding salary arbitration, on November 18.{{cite web | url=https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-agree-to-1-year-deal-with-of-miguel-andujar-6-arbitration-eligible-players-tendered-offers/ | title=Pirates agree to 1-year deal with OF Miguel Andujar, 6 arbitration-eligible players tendered offers | date=November 18, 2022 }}

The Pirates designated Andújar for assignment on January 20, 2023, after the signing of Andrew McCutchen was made official.{{cite web | url=https://triblive.com/sports/to-make-room-for-andrew-mccutchen-pirates-designate-of-miguel-andujar-for-assignment/ | title=To make room for Andrew McCutchen, Pirates designate OF Miguel Andujar for assignment | date=January 20, 2023 }} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on January 26.{{cite web|title=Pirates' Miguel Andujar: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-miguel-andujar-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=April 29, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=January 26, 2023 |language=en}} In 23 games for Indianapolis, Andújar hit .284/.364/.500 with 3 home runs, 15 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. On April 29, Andújar had his contract selected to the active roster.{{cite web|title=Pirates' Miguel Andujar: Contract selected by PIT|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-miguel-andujar-contract-selected-by-pit/amp/|access-date=April 29, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He played in 13 games for Pittsburgh, but hit just .161/.212/.387 in 33 plate appearances. On May 19, Andújar was designated for assignment after Rob Zastryzny was activated off of the injured list.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Miguel Andujar: Designated for assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-miguel-andujar-designated-for-assignment-875017/|access-date=May 19, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 19, 2023 |language=en}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on May 22.{{Cite web|title=Pirates Outright Miguel Andujar|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/teams/pittsburgh_pirates/22|access-date=May 23, 2023|website=yardbarker.com|date=May 23, 2023 |language=en}} On September 1, Andújar was selected back to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Pittsburgh Pirates Bring Up Former New York Yankees Young Star|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/minors/pittsburgh-pirates-calling-up-former-new-york-yankees-young-star-miguel-andujar-to-the-major-leagues|access-date=September 1, 2023|website=si.com|date=September 2023 |language=en}} In 30 games for Pittsburgh, he batted .250/.300/.476 with 4 home runs and 18 RBI.{{Cite web|title=Athletics' Miguel Andujar: Lands in Oakland|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-miguel-andujar-lands-in-oakland/amp/|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Following the season on November 2, Andújar was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Indianapolis.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Miguel Andujar: Placed on waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-miguel-andujar-placed-on-waivers/|access-date=November 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=November 3, 2023 |language=en}}

=Oakland Athletics=

On November 6, 2023, Andújar was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics.{{cite news |title=Miguel Andujar claimed by Athletics off waivers from Pirates |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/11/06/miguel-andujar-claimed-by-athletics-off-waivers-from-pirates/71481136007/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=USA Today |date=November 6, 2023}} He signed a one-year contract worth $1.7 million with the Athletics on November 17.{{cite news |title=Athletics agree to 1-year deals with infielders Andujar, Toro |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38923634/athletics-agree-1-year-deals-infielders-andujar-toro |access-date=November 18, 2023 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=November 17, 2023}} On March 22, 2024, it was announced that Andújar had suffered a torn meniscus and would be out 4–6 weeks following surgery.{{Cite web|title=Oakland's Miguel Andujar to miss at least 4-6 weeks after knee surgery|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/03/23/oaklands-miguel-andujar-to-miss-at-least-4-6-weeks-after-knee-surgery/|access-date=March 23, 2024|website=mercurynews.com|date=March 23, 2024 |language=en}} He ultimately played in 75 games for Oakland, slashing .285/.320/.377 with four home runs, 30 RBI, and three stolen bases. On August 28, manager Mark Kotsay announced that Andújar would undergo season–ending core muscle surgery.{{Cite web|title=Miguel Andujar Undergoes Season-Ending Core Surgery|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/miguel-andujar-undergoes-season-ending-core-surgery.html|access-date=September 3, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 28, 2024 |language=en}}

On January 9, 2025, the A’s and Andújar agreed on a contract worth $3 million to avoid arbitration.

Personal life

In March 2022, Andújar was robbed at gunpoint at his farm in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. Andújar was not shot, but he was beaten. A relative, however, was shot in the finger.{{cite web |title=Yankees' Miguel Andújar Assaulted, Robbed at Gunpoint in D.R. |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/.amp/news/new-york-yankees-miguel-andujar-assaulted-robbed-gunpoint-dominican-republic |date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=April 24, 2022 |first=Gary |last=Phillips |website=www.si.com}}