The powerful lefty slugger hit 81 home runs, including 30 in 2019, during his nine-year MLB career.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing back a familiar face but in a completely new capacity.
The Pirates have added former first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach to their coaching staff as a special assistant to the hitting department, according to multiple reports in Bradenton, Florida.
A 2019 All-Star and nine-year MLB veteran, Vogelbach spent the 2022 season in black and gold. He slashed .228/.338/.430 with a .769 OPS in 75 games before being traded to the New York Mets at the deadline. The Pirates acquired Colin Holderman in return for the slugger who totaled 10 doubles, 12 home runs, and 34 RBIs in the first half of 2022.
Pittsburgh hired Matt Hague, another former Pirate, as hitting coach in November. Hague replaces Andy Haines, who spent the past three seasons on Derek Shelton’s staff.
The lefty hitter suited up for five different teams from 2016-2024, most notably the Seattle Mariners. Vogelbach mashed 17 doubles, 30 homers, and 76 RBIs in 144 games, despite a .208 batting average.
Vogelbach played 31 games in Toronto last year but only hit .186 and opted best to retire. He joins a collective in Shelton and GM Ben Cherington embarking on year six of their regime to get the Pirates back to the playoffs.
The Pirates finished 25th in home runs (160), 24th in runs scored (665), tied for 23rd in batting average (.234), tied for 24th in on-base percentage (.301), and 27th in OPS (672) in 2024.
The first full-squad workout is on Monday, Feb. 17. The Pirates and Twins take the field on Saturday, Feb. 22 for the first spring training game of the year. Opening Day in Miami begins the 162-game schedule at LoanDepot Park against the Marlins on Thursday, March 27.