Pirates claim infielder Engelb Vielma

The Pirates have claimed infielder Engelb Vielma off waivers from the Phillies. On purpose.

The 23-year-old Vielma is, according to Baseball America, a plus defender at short. He’s also an absolutely putrid hitter. He has no power whatsoever and also doesn’t walk much. In 543 minor league games, he has a cumulative slash line of 256/316/302. He reached AAA this year and, in 87 games there, put up a line of 206/233/260. He’s already been dragmired twice since mid-September, probably because he’s an absolutely putrid hitter. The Giants claimed him from the Twins in September and the Phillies from the Giants in November.

All I can think is that the Pirates want a glove-only shortstop to replace Gift Ngoepe and plan to dragmire Vielma themselves. Even then, this move makes no sense because they have Kevin Newman in AAA, Cole Tucker in AA and Max Moroff in the majors or at AAA. But, hey, this is a move they can afford.