Updated Aug 21, 2011 11:45 AM ET

PITTSBURGH (AP)

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Jose Tabata to a six-year contract extension.

The Pirates announced Sunday that the deal comes with club options for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The 23-year-old Tabata is hitting .267 with 17 RBIs in 75 games this year with the Pirates. He also has four home runs, 14 doubles and 15 stolen bases.

Tabata made his Major League debut last year on June 9 and hit .299 with 35 RBIs in 102 games.

Following the All-Star break, he produced a .322 average, which ranked seventh among all National League hitters. He had 93 hits, second in the league behind Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez.

Tabata was acquired by the Pirates from the New York Yankees in 2008.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Jose Tabata to a six-year contract extension.

The Pirates announced Sunday that the deal comes with club options for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The 23-year-old Tabata is hitting .267 with 17 RBIs in 75 games this year with the Pirates. He also has four home runs, 14 doubles and 15 stolen bases.

Tabata made his Major League debut last year on June 9 and hit .299 with 35 RBIs in 102 games.

Following the All-Star break, he produced a .322 average, which ranked seventh among all National League hitters. He had 93 hits, second in the league behind Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez.

Tabata was acquired by the Pirates from the New York Yankees in 2008.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

PITTSBURGH (AP)—The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed outfielder Jose Tabata(notes)
to a six-year contract extension.

The Pirates announced Sunday that the deal comes with club options for 2017,
2018 and 2019.

The 23-year-old Tabata is hitting .267 with 17 RBIs in 75 games this year
with the Pirates. He also has four home runs, 14 doubles and 15 stolen bases.

Tabata made his Major League debut last year on June 9 and hit .299 with 35
RBIs in 102 games.

Following the All-Star break, he produced a .322 average, which ranked
seventh among all National League hitters. He had 93 hits, second in the league
behind Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez(notes).

Tabata was acquired by the Pirates from the New York Yankees in 2008.

By Nick Dudukovich • ndudukovich@communitypress.com

Former Princeton High School and University of Cincinnati standout Josh Harrison made his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates May 31.

Harrison, 23, had two hits in the game, including a clutch RBI single that helped lead the Pirates to a 5-1 win over the New York Mets.

He was promoted to the big leagues after positing the International League’s fifth highest batting average (.321) for Triple-A Indianapolis. He also eight doubles, two triples and 11 RBI in 27 games during the 2011 season.

Here the infielder chats about tough Greater Miami Conference competition, being called up to the Pirates and his mentality during his first big-league game.

Did you ever imagine playing Major League Baseball?

“It’s always been a goal of mine, ever since I was a young kid. Once I started playing ball, I wanted to play in the majors and that came true a few days ago.”

How did you get your start playing baseball?

“I was 3 years old, and I wanted to play. The only way I could play was if my mom could coach. So my mom was my first coach.”

Who was your inspiration growing up?

“Both of my parents (Vincent and Bonita Harrison), and my older brothers (Vince Harrison Jr. and Shaun Harrison), because I was always at their games. They were good and I learned a lot from watching them.”

What do you remember about playing baseball in the Greater Miami Conference?

“It’s a great conference. It was always a challenge in the GMC. We didn’t win it while I was there, but that’s because it’s always tough.”

Do you make it back to Cincinnati often?

“Yeah, definitely…In the offseason, I’m back there. Whenever I get home, I have a chance to meet up with the guys and catch up.”

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re home?

“I liked to relax and chill and hang with the family and friends.”

Were you a Reds fan growing up?

“No, I didn’t have a favorite team growing up. I was just rooting for the team my uncle, John Shelby, was coaching for… I think he was with the Dodgers the most.”

You also played at UC. Are you looking forward to playing in front of your hometown crowd at Great American Ballpark?

“It will be very exciting. I’ll be able to see a lot of my family that won’t be able to make it to Pittsburgh.”

How did you find out you were getting called to the show?

“Our trainer called me and sent me to the manager’s office. When I walked in, they normally play a joke. They had a big smile on their faces and told me congratulations, and I was going up.”

In your first big-league game, you had two hits. One of those was a clutch RBI single that helped lead the Pirates to victory. Were you nervous?

“I was very comfortable. Guys kept asking me if I was nervous, but I was comfortable from the first pitch. I was as confident as I’ve always been.”

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