The Indianapolis Indians, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, announced that infielder Gift Ngoepe was recalled to the big leagues. With the promotion, Ngoepe becomes the first African-born player to reach the major leagues.
Ngoepe, 27, was batting .241 (14-for-58) with three doubles, one triple, one home run and four RBI in 15 games for Indianapolis. He reached Triple-A for the first time in 2015, appearing in 21 games with the Tribe. Last year, he played in 102 games for Indy and was the best defensive shortstop in the International League after posting a .984 fielding percentage (seven errors in 440 total chances).
His defensive excellence has not gone unnoticed by Baseball America, who tabbed him as the “Best Defensive Infielder” in Pittsburgh’s farm system over each of the last five seasons (2013-17).
ROSTER MOVE: The Pirates option RHP Dovydas Neverauskas to AAA Indy and recall INF Gift Ngoepe. Ngoepe will wear No. 61.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 26, 2017
Born in Pietersburg, South Africa, Ngoepe was signed by the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent on Sept. 29, 2008. He has played in Pittsburgh’s farm system eight-plus seasons, accumulating 37 home runs and 201 RBI in 704 career games.
"It hasn't hit me yet. When Clint calls on me (to get in the game)…that's when I'll probably burst into tears."
-Gift on being in the bigs pic.twitter.com/1Mgn8zP7BN— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 26, 2017
"It means that it doesn't matter where you come from. No matter where you are or who you are, you can still make it no matter what country." https://t.co/OoXPj2szvv
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 26, 2017
Ngoepe joins Dovydas Neverauskas in a week of firsts not only for the Pittsburgh Pirates but all of Major League Baseball. Neverauskas, who posted a perfect 0.00 ERA over 8.1 innings pitched for the Tribe this season, became the first born-and-raised Lithuanian to play in the big leagues after debuting Monday night at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs.
There are about 1.2 billion people in the 57 countries of Africa. #Pirates Gift Ngoepe is the first in the big leagues.
— Joe Block (@joe_block) April 26, 2017
Neverauskas was optioned from Pittsburgh to Indy to make room for Ngoepe but is not active for the Tribe’s opener tonight at Pawtucket.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 26, 2017
SOURCE: Indianapolis Indians