Scott Sauerbeck, a late-blooming left-handed reliever who spent five of his major-league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, died Wednesday in Bradenton, Fla.

Sauerbeck was 53.

Former Pirates teammate Dave Williams wrote on Facebook that Sauerbeck died of a heart attack, and the Pirates confirmed Sauerbeck’s death in a social media post Thursday. A Cincinnati native, Sauerbeck continued to live in Bradenton, site of the Pirates’ spring training home, after his playing career ended in 2008.

Sauerbeck still shares the franchise record for appearances by a left-hander, pitching in 78 games in 2002.

Sauerbeck had a bachelor’s degree in geology from Miami (Ohio). He was selected by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 draft. He languished in the minors for several seasons until his fortunes changed when the Pirates selected him as a Rule 5 draft pick in 1999.

By being taken in the Rule 5 draft, Sauerbeck had to spend the season on the Pirates roster or be offered back to the Mets. Sauerbeck, at age 27, showed he was ready for the majors, going 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 65 appearances.

In his next three seasons with the Pirates, Sauerbeck made no fewer than 70 appearances each year. In 2003, when the Pirates traded him to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline, Sauerbeck made a career-best 79 appearances.

After sitting out the 2004 season with an injury, Sauerbeck spent one full season with the Cleveland Indians. In 2006, he split the year between the Indians and Oakland Athletics.

Sauerbeck spent his final two professional seasons in the minor leagues.

After his playing career ended, Sauerbeck coached baseball at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton. He also had worked for the private school in the athletic department, according to his LinkedIn page.