Position: IF/OF
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 179 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 04/06/1999
Country: Dominican Republic
Signed: International Free Agent, 2018
How Acquired: Trade (with Twins for cash)
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 3
Overview
Since he originally signed with the Pirates in 2018, Fajardo has never appeared on any prospect lists, but he’s put together a good record in the minors, enough to make it to AAA in a utility role. He generally hits for average and gap power, makes contact and posts a decent walk rate. He’s never settled into a defensive position, mainly playing second and the outfield corners. Fajardo doesn’t have great speed, but he did put up a big basestealing season in 2023. The Pirates lost him to the Twins in the minor league phase of the 2022 Rule 5 draft, then reacquired him for cash in June 2024 when they were short on upper-level infielders.
2018-20
Nearly 18 when he signed, Fajardo hit for high averages in the rookie-level minors. He batted .311 in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, then in 2019 hit .336 while dividing his season between the Gulf Coast and Appalachian Leagues. At this point he was playing mainly second and third, and he saw a little time at short. Fajardo didn’t play during the pandemic season.
2021-22
In 2021, the Pirates assigned Fajardo to active rosters for only parts of the season. He got into 31 games for Low-A Bradenton and 19 for High-A Greensboro. He batted .309 for Bradenton and didn’t hit much for Greensboro. From this point on, Fajardo played mainly second and the outfield corners. Back at Greensboro in 2022, he batted 260/341/359.
2023-24
After the 2022 season, the Pirates left Fajardo off the AAA roster and the Twins claimed him in the minor league Rule 5. In AA in 2023, he put together a strong season, batting 305/375/446. He also stole 50 bases in 63 tries. The Twins moved him up to AAA in 2024 and he got off to a rough start, with a .636 OPS and 6:34 BB:K. In early June, the Pirates purchased Fajardo from the Twins and assigned him to Altoona, where he spent the rest of the season. He was probably the Curve’s most consistent hitter, batting 300/406/373. His plate discipline was an extreme rarity in the Pirates’ system; he had only two more strikeouts than walks. Fajardo played exclusively in the outfield corners for the Curve and made half his starts at DH.
Fajardo will be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Stats
Transactions
March 9, 2018: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.
December 7, 2022: Selected by the Minnesota Twins from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
June 4, 2024: Traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.