PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The first person to reach out to Isiah Kiner-Falefa after he was traded from Toronto to the Pirates was a former Pirate All-Star who was traded because the team knew they wouldn’t be able to re-sign him. Activated Saturday, Kiner-Falefa immediately jumped in the starting lineup.
The 29-year-old has been rehabbing a knee injury, played Friday night in Altoona, but cleared to play and said he’s excited to be with a great organization. The conversation he had with the former Pirates player who gave high marks about Pittsburgh from team to city, is first-round pick Gerrit Cole.
“He had nothing but great things to say about this organization,” Kiner-Falefa said. “I wasn't really expecting him to reach out but he reached out and was like, 'you're gonna love it there. That stadium is beautiful. The people are awesome. Good front office.'”
“Everything he had to say about this place just made me feel -- because I didn't really know much when I got traded, so just hearing that was huge for me.”
A fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2013, Kiner-Falefa said he knew there was a chance we would be traded.
The right-handed hitter’s batting average is 50 points higher than last year at .292 and the OPS is .758, 112 points better than 2023 with the Yankees. He said the improvement came from just a small change in approach and his new mentality is allowing him to drive the ball more. He said he will do his homework so the success continues.
This season he played 40 games at second base, 38 at third base, 15 at shortstop, one in the outfield and two games pitching.
“I think his versatility is huge,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton as Kiner-Falefa will begin his Bucs career at second. “Initially he will play a lot of second base, probably will go over and play short the days that Cruz doesn’t play. His versatility is important, he’s played all three. He’s played in the outfield.”
“He’s stable. He’s a leader. He’s having a really good year offensively. It’s a really good acquisition for us.”
He also is a fourth cousin of Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, his number four is retired by the Pirates and there is a statue of his trademark, powerful hands in the left field stands. Kiner-Falefa said when he’s been at PNC Park previously he would go see the statue and look up at the number. He really hasn’t met much of that side of the family, but hopes now that he’s in Pittsburgh he will be able to.
Kiner-Falefa is also meeting a lot of new teammates, understands the energy around the team right now and said he will lean on all of his experience to do anything to help his new team win.
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