The Pittsburgh Pirates have added a local name to their organization, signing Pittsburgh native Kyler Fedko to a minor league deal, according to KDKA-TV sports anchor Rich Walsh.
Fedko, an outfielder from Gibsonia, Pa., most recently belonged to the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota designated him for assignment and released him on Sept. 1 after he tore his ACL. Walsh also reported that Fedko turned down several other offers before choosing Pittsburgh, and he’ll now focus on his rehab.
For Pirates fans, the hometown angle jumps out right away. Fedko played at Vincentian Academy in McCandless, Pa., where he helped lead the school to PIAA titles in 2016 and 2018. He also put up huge numbers as a senior, hitting .661 and earning 2018 Max Preps All-American honors.
After high school, Fedko spent three seasons at UConn from 2019-21 and broke out in a big way as a junior in 2021. He hit .398/.485/.673 for an OPS of 1.158 and picked up All-American honors.
The Twins selected Fedko in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he spent six seasons in their farm system before making his MLB debut on June 15. His big-league stint was brief: he went hitless in 16 at-bats, scoring one run with one RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts.
Fedko brings defensive versatility as well, with the ability to handle all three outfield spots. Across 473 minor league games, he has hit .252/.357/.431 with an OPS of .788.
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