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Pirates’ Ngoepe has the answers
NILES
Against the Scrappers on Thursday, Gift Ngoepe looked like a major leaguer often does in a rehab assignment in the minor leagues.
The shortstop with the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this year went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in his second game with the Class A West Virginia Black Bears.
Ngoepe said he’s getting many questions from the younger prospects that will briefly be his teammates if his rehab goes to plan.
“I remember when I was a kid in this league, when a guy from high levels came through we’d ask a lot of questions,” Ngoepe said. “They’re willing to learn. That’s what they’re here to do. I really embrace it.”
Sometimes the question can be so rudimentary they catch him off guard.
“One kid asked me ‘How do you get ready for a ground ball?’ And I’m thinking, ‘I just get ready.’” Ngoepe said. “It got me off my mentality a little bit about what I do on defense.
“But I told him a few things to slow the game down. You need to know who’s running and that the speed of the ball dictates how you field ground balls.”
One of the questions Ngoepe gets after games with the Black Bears is “What’s for dinner?”
Major League players traditionally pick up the tab for the postgame meal when making rehab stints.
“I have to be responsible [for the meal],” Ngoepe said with a smile. “They get good food and it’s nice to pay back. Some of the older guys contributed to food after games when they came through.”