MLB Debut: Matt Hague

This year, I will feature a card of each Pirates prospect to make their MLB debut.  Last year there were 9 players to make their MLB debut for the Bucs (Watson, Moskos, Hughes, Locke, Thompson, Fryer, D'arnaud, Harrison, and Crotta).  I doubt that this year will have numbers comparable to that, but on the second day of the 2012 season, the Pirates awarded 2008 9th rounder Matt Hague with his first start in the majors.

Hague was expected to be a September call-up last season after hitting .309 with 12 HR in AAA Indy.  However, due to wanting to resign Derrek Lee the Pirates awarded all playing time at 1B to Lee.

Hague had  a very hot spring training batting .400 with 7HR and 14 RBI and an OPS of 1.200

I have had a chance to meet Matt a few times before he cracked the 2012 Opening Day roster and he is one of the nicest ball players I've ever met.