6 Baseball Players who Played for Pirates and Astros
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Pirates and the Astros.
Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole is in his 11th year in the majors and is currently pitching with the New York Yankees. Cole has been a dominant pitcher in the league since making his debut with the Pirates in 2013.
Cole is a six-time All-star (Pirates, Astros, Yankees) and twice a runner-up for the Cy Young award. He’s also gone over 200 strikeouts in a season with all three teams he’s played for and in 2019 he won 20 games with the Astros.
Doug Drabek
Doug Drabek pitched in the MLB from 1986 to 1998. He is most recognized for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.
With a record of 155-134 over 398 starts, he accumulated over 1500 strikeouts and a career 3.73 ERA. A highlight of his career was earning the Cy Young Award in 1990, winning 22 games with the Pirates.
He also made an All-Star appearance in 1994 with the Astros and recorded 53 complete games and 21 shutouts, demonstrating his endurance and dominance on the mound.
Charlie Morton
Charlie Morton is in his 16th year in the majors and is currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves. He has played for 5 different teams over his long career thus far including the Pirates, Rays, Astros and Phillies.
Morton has been a solid player throughout his career, racking up 125 wins, over 1800 strikeouts and a 4.00 ERA (as of this writing). He’s also made two All-Star appearances (Astros, Rays) and two World Series rings – Astros in 2017 and Braves in 2021.
Fun Fact: Morton has the interesting distinction of having led the league four different times in ‘Hits by Pitch’.
Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano began his MLB journey with the Minnesota Twins in 2005, quickly making an impression as one of the league’s promising young pitchers. In 2006, his breakout season, he was named an All-Star, and while his year was cut short due to Tommy John surgery, his performance left a lasting impression.
Over the years, Liriano played for various teams, including the White Sox, Pirates, Blue Jays, Astros, and Tigers. One of his career highlights came with the Pirates, where he won the 2013 National League Comeback Player of the Year after an impressive season on the mound.
Throughout his career, Liriano was known for his devastating slider and ability to generate strikeouts. His journey in the MLB was characterized by moments of sheer dominance, resilience in the face of injuries, and adaptability as he transitioned roles, even serving as a relief pitcher later in his career.
Loriano Key Stats
- All-Star (Twins)
- World Series Champ (Astros)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Twins, Pirates)
Craig Reynolds
Craig Reynolds was an infielder who spent his 15-year Major League Baseball career from 1975 to 1989 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and Houston Astros.
Known for his fielding skills, Reynolds was a two-time All-Star shortstop in 1978 with the Mariners and in 1979 with the Astros. He tallied a career fielding percentage of .966, showcasing his defensive reliability.
At the plate, Reynolds had a career batting average of .256 with 1142 hits, 42 home runs, and 377 RBIs.
Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce is a player who made a name for himself as a utility player capable of performing at various positions, most notably at first base and in the outfield.
Pearce played for several teams during his MLB career, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox. However, it was with the Red Sox that he had the defining moment of his career.
After joining the Red Sox mid-season in 2018, Pearce played a crucial role in their postseason run. He was named the World Series Most Valuable Player as the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pearce had several key hits throughout the Series, including three home runs and eight RBIs.
