Pirates Prospects has learned that 26-year-old first baseman Albert Baur has retired. He was likely slated to begin the season at Altoona after hitting .266/.327/.411 in 117 games for the Bradenton Marauders in 2018.
Baur was drafted by the Pirates in the 28th round in 2015 out of Newberry College. He spent his first two seasons playing in Morgantown, before moving up to West Virginia in 2017. During that third season of pro ball, he posted an .805 OPS over 106 games.
After a solid season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, it seemed like he could take over at first base in Altoona with Will Craig moving up to Indianapolis. That was especially true after Jordan George was lost in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft. It was still a tough spot to be in with a young first baseman in the majors and a first round pick ahead of him at the same spot.
Baur is the second player this spring to retire, with both looking like they would be with Altoona in 2019. Outfielder Tyler Gaffney retired last week.