The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have acquired infielder Jesus Brito from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for infielder Brian Bixler.
The 22-year-old Brito finished fifth in batting among all minor league baseball players in 2009 after hitting a combined .353 (79-for-224) with 19 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs, 43 RBI and 52 runs scored in 60 games with the rookie level Arizona League Indians and Single-A Mahoning Valley.
The-right-handed hitting Brito finished first among all Arizona League hitters in batting average (.366) and onbase percentage (.439) while also ranking second in triples (8) and slugging percentage (.642) in 2009. He also ranked fifth in the league with 23 extra base hits and hit safely in all but seven of his 35 games with the Arizona League Indians. During the month of July, he ranked second in the Arizona League in batting average (.418) and total bases (68) and tied for fourth with 23 RBI.
Brito was promoted on August 8 to Mahoning Valley, where he hit safely in 10 of his first 11 contests and in 20 of his 25 overall as a member of the Scrappers. In 90 at bats with Mahoning Valley, he batted .333 and posted an .875 OPS.
Brito spent his first three professional seasons playing for the Dominican Summer League Indians.
The trade of Bixler paved the way for the official signing of right-handed reliever Brendan Donnelly today. Donnelly, 38, will have a base salary of $1.5 million and has been added to the Pirates 40 man roster.
Donnelly spent a portion of the 2009 season, with the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate. In July 2009, Donnelly signed as a free agent with the Florida Marlins and finished 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA and two saves
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