The Pittsburgh Pirates Make a Strategic Move by Signing Former Mets Prospect
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are not only focusing on high-profile signings at the major league level; they are also making significant additions within their minor league system.
On January 17, the Pirates secured shortstop William Lugo with a minor league contract (you can find more details here). This announcement came just days after his signing, highlighting the team's proactive approach to player development.
Lugo’s Journey with the Mets
Originating from Peravia in the Dominican Republic, Lugo joined the New York Mets as an international free agent on August 23, 2018. Over the past seven seasons, he advanced through the Mets’ minor league system, demonstrating his potential and resilience despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which interrupted the 2020 season.
Lugo initially played with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Mets in 2019, participating in 43 games, and later moved to the Florida Complex League (FCL) Mets in 2021. His first complete season came in 2022, where he played 112 games—84 with Single-A St. Lucie and 28 with High-A Brooklyn. That year was particularly noteworthy for Lugo, as he achieved an impressive batting line of .263/.347/.432, culminating in an OPS of .779. He recorded 110 hits, including 25 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and drove in 63 RBIs, alongside 50 walks against 117 strikeouts.
In 2023 and 2024, Lugo continued with Brooklyn, playing in 106 and 84 games respectively. However, his performance declined during this period, with his batting average dropping to .237/.316/.385 (OPS .701) in 2023, and further to .186/.332/.339 (OPS .671) in 2024.
His 2025 season saw him compete entirely at Double-A Binghamton, but it proved to be another challenging year at the plate, as he posted a slash line of .205/.283/.292, resulting in an OPS of .575 over 113 games, which included 15 doubles, six home runs, and 39 walks compared to 117 strikeouts. Throughout his minor league career, Lugo predominantly played shortstop, starting in 220 out of 225 games, while also taking on a significant role at third base with 182 starts in 186 games.
Now, Lugo has a fresh opportunity to revitalize his career with the Pirates, aiming to make a notable impact in the 2026 season at Altoona.
Pirates' Offseason Developments
This winter, the Pirates have made several strategic moves to enhance their lineup for the 2026 season. Notably, they signed free agent Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year deal worth $29 million. This signing marks a significant milestone, as O'Hearn is the first multi-year free agent acquisition for the Pirates since right-handed pitcher Iván Nova, who was signed for three years and $27 million back in December 2016. Furthermore, he is also the first position player to be signed to a multi-year deal since outfielder John Jaso in December 2015.
Additionally, the Pirates executed a major three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros. This transaction brought second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum, and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery to Pittsburgh. In return, the Pirates sent right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows to the Astros, who subsequently traded two prospects to the Rays.
Moreover, the Pirates added future talents in outfielder Jhostynxon García and right-handed pitcher Jesus Travieso through a trade with the Boston Red Sox, which involved sending right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo, left-handed reliever Tyler Samaniego, and catcher Adonys Guzman to Boston.
These offseason moves reflect the Pirates' commitment to addressing critical areas of need within their roster. However, the question remains: will these changes translate into tangible results on the field in the upcoming season? Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how this new roster will perform in 2026.
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