What we know about Canaan Smith-Njigba

Once he is selected in the 2023 NFL draft in April, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will not be the only person in his family playing professional sports.

After making his debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2022 season, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Jaxon's older brother, made the Pirates 2023 opening day roster as an outfielder.

Here's what we know about Canaan Smith-Njigba.

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Canaan Smith-Njigba was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2017

After playing baseball at Rockwall-Heath High School, including a senior season where he was intentionally walked 32 times in 24 games, Smith-Njigba was selected by the New York Yankees in the fourth round of the 2017 MLB draft, choosing professional baseball over his commitment to the University of Arkansas.

Playing three seasons of rookie, low-A and high-A baseball in the Yankees organization from 2017-19, Smith-Njigba was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a deal for pitcher Jameson Taillon ahead of the 2021 season.

Since then, Smith-Njigba has played in 125 games for either Double-A Altoona or Triple-A Indianaplis.

Canaan Smith-Njigba played in three MLB games in 2022

After hitting .277 with 19 extra-base hits for Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022, Smith-Njigba made his major league debut for the Pirates June 14 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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In three games, Smith-Njigba recorded his first major league hit — a double — in five at bats along with a walk.

Days later, Smith-Njigba was placed on the 60-day injured reserve list with a right wrist fracture and missed the remainder of the 2022 season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is 'SUPERRR' proud of Canaan Smith-Njigba

Canaan Smith-Njigba will be one of four outfielders for the Pirates to start the 2023 season, along with starters Andrew McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski.

And his brother Jaxon could not be more excited to see his brother play.

"I'll be there opening day!" Jaxon Smith-Njigba tweeted Tuesday. "Congrats... I'm a SUPERRR proud lil brother."

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What we know about Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba