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With Rosters Expanding Soon, a Look at the Pirates’ Call-Up Candidates

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INDIANAPOLIS — Not much will be said about it in the next few days, but everyone in the Indianapolis clubhouse knows what’s looming: call-up day.

Major league rosters can expand to 40 players starting on September 1st. In all likelihood, those players will all come from the Triple-A level. One slight exception within the Pirates organization would be catcher Chris Stewart returning from a rehab assignment with Altoona. Adam Frazier will also return from Bristol on September 2nd, and anyone else they send to the minors between now and then can return in early September.

A twist to this story is that the Pirates don’t play on September 1st, so they may delay making their promotions — possibly public or even within their own organization — by a day.

“It’s always in the back of everyone’s mind,” Indianapolis pitcher Trevor Williams said. “It’s like the trade deadline – nobody ever talks about.”

Those players on the 40-man roster probably like their odds of getting promoted, but that’s no guarantee of getting the call-up, as it’s almost a certainty some players on the team’s 40-man roster won’t be getting promoted.

Williams is an intriguing call-up candidate, as his numbers over the past two months have been some of the best in the International League. In July and August, Williams has a 1.62 earned run average and 0.97 WHIP in 10 starts. That includes four outings where he didn’t allow a run and pitched at least six innings.

But Williams has two problems. One of the biggest ones is not being on the 40-man roster. The second issue is the Pirates have some pitching options already on the 40-man roster that have already performed solid with the Pirates earlier this season, such as Steven Brault

“You just have to play well, perform well and kind of force their hand,” Williams said. “Because it’s our of your control, and nothing is guaranteed even if you’re on the 40-man roster. You’re not going to be guaranteed a September call-up, Hopefully the Pirates reward the guys that have been performing well all year. And give them a shot. If not, no big deal, we’re go into the off-season and build up from there.”

As the September roster expansion nears, here’s a quick look at any possible call-up candidate.

CATCHERS

Elias Diaz (40-man roster) – Diaz didn’t play in a game until July after having surgery to repair his right elbow. So, while his teammates are fighting through the grind of the hot summer nights, Diaz was essentially beginning his spring training. Diaz is pretty much a lock to be promoted when rosters expand, and has already been with the Pirates this season for a short stint due to injuries. He is regaining his swing, to say the least, hitting .342 in his last 10 games. And he has arguably the best arm of any catcher in the system, throwing out seven of the 11 runners attempting to steal against him.

Elias Diaz Hitting Stride as His Season is Just Beginning

Jacob Stallings – He is very unlikely to be called up this season, though, he did play two games with the Pirates earlier this season. Stallings was on the 40-man roster but was designated for assignment in early July and eventually returned to Indianapolis. The pitching staff has raved about throwing to Stallings, but his hitting has been a consistent issue. Stallings’ slash line with Indianapolis is .203/.239/.343.

Jacob Stallings Earns the Trust of the Indianapolis Pitching Staff

OUTFIELDERS

Willy Garcia (40-man roster) – He has some intriguing attributes — mainly one of the best outfield arms in the minor league system. Garcia has thrown out 14 runners this season, which leads the International League.

“His defense is good and he runs good enough,” Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor said. “Sometimes I think he gets a late read, but his routes for the most part are good and that’s what I look at.”

But there are concerns, which go beyond his .246 average, though he does have 26 doubles this season. However, Garcia has had too many empty at-bats in critical moments. He’s failed to advance runners with nobody out, and he’ll strike out with a runner on third with less than two outs. With a runner at first, Garcia is hitting .324; with runners at first and second, he’s hitting .152; and with runners at first and third, he’s hitting .067.

“He has a lot of things he needs to work on at the plate,” Treanor said. “He really needs a better grasp of situational hitting – what pitchers are going to do in certain situations. I’m not sure he’s there yet, but it’s a work in progress. He’s got some tools. He has the raw power, all of that kind of stuff.”

The struggles of Garcia have been a problem all season, as detailed in this story in June:

Willy Garcia Has Taken a Step Back Offensively This Year

Austin Meadows – He has returned to the lineup after missing about a month with a hamstring injury. He’s hitting .247 with Indianapolis since being promoted from Altoona. But 14 of his 23 hits have been for extra-bases, which gives him a strong OPS of .859. Meadows has been playing more and more in left field since returning from the disabled list. While his future potential is very high, Meadows will likely see his season end with Indianapolis.

Austin Meadows Fully Recovered From Hamstring Injury, Learning Left Field

INFIELDERS

Jason Rogers (40-man roster) – He’s a likely call-up candidate to provide a bat off the bench, but he’s limping to the September 1st roster expansions. Rogers is hitting just .043 in his last 10 games, but his .266 batting average and .720 OPS are respectable. Rogers has had some bad errors in the field — some physical that count towards his fielding percentage, while others are simply mental mistakes. Some could question the effort Rogers puts forth at times, but Treanor has no concerns in that regard.

“I think when you look at him or talk to him I think he can be misread,” Treanor said. “But this guy does care and cares about his at-bats. In the field he looks ready and at the plate he looks like he’s into each at-bat,” Treanor said. “I think guys can be mislabeled, but he cares about every at-bat and he really cares when he’s out in the field.”

Jason Rogers Biding Time in Triple-A, Looking For a Promotion

Max Moroff (40-man roster) – He was a surprise call-up in late-July, striking out in his two at-bats with the Pirates. He has shown to be a patient hitter with the Indians — almost to a fault at times. Moroff has drawn 79 walks this season, which is the most in a single-season in the organization in the past 20 years. He’s solid in the field but is only hitting .230 which made his call-up somewhat surprising. But Indianapolis hitting coach Butch Wynegar has spoken highly of Moroff and his ability to put together a major league at-bat. Moroff should be a safe candidate to be promoted. He’s been getting some pregame work in rightfield, but don’t expect him to play that position in a game this season.

Max Moroff Getting Some Work in the Outfield

Alen Hanson (40-man roster) – Assuming he’s healthy, Hanson is a lock to be promoted. He’s been playing extremely well in the field and at the plate. But he suffered what was labeled a “quad cramp” in a game on August 22nd. He was labeled as day-to-day, and returned to action on Sunday. The organization may simply be taking things cautiously, much as they did with Meadows during his rehab process.

Hanson hit .178 in May, but his monthly average has increased each month since that point. He hit .250 in June, .284 in July, and is hitting .301 this month. And he has not played the same position two games in a row for several weeks, rotating between left field, third base, and second base primarily. Hanson leads the International League with 36 stolen bases and could be a super utility-type player for the Pirates.

What is Preventing Alen Hanson From Reaching His Upside?

Jose Osuna – He’s a similar situation as Neverauskas, scheduled to become a minor league free agent after this season, if not added to the 40-man roster. Osuna was promoted to Indianapolis in late June and has shown well. He’s hitting .279 in 52 games with the Indians, and is hitting .315 in his last 10 games. He has an impressive .844 OPS in Triple-A with 23 of his 53 hits going for extra bases. He’s been playing in the outfield and first base, but would be considered an average defender.

Jose Osuna Is Off to a Great Start in Triple-A

PITCHERS

Drew Hutchison (40-man roster) – He’s one of the most talked about players at the Triple-A level, coming over from the Toronto organization in the trade for Francisco Liriano, and minor leaguers Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez. Hutchison will be promoted and brings 73 career major league starts. But with Indianapolis, Hutchison has struggled. He’s allowed three earned runs or more in three of his five starts. However, being a part of a 3-for-1 trade may be playing a role in his struggles.

“To be very honest I had a conversation with him because I wanted to validate some things I’ve been thinking,” Treanor said. “And I think coming over in a trade and who he was traded for, maybe his true personality hasn’t come out on the mound yet.”

Drew Hutchison Adjusting to the Pirates Organization After the Trade

Steven Brault (40-man roster) – Brault has been promoted to the Pirates for a pair of spot starts, allowing four earned runs in 10 innings over those two starts. But he has allowed three earned runs or more in four of his last five starts. He only pitched two innings in his last start, and it seems that was so that he could make a start tonight in place of Gerrit Cole. He should remain in the majors in September, adding starting depth for the rotation with Cole’s status questionable.

The Book on Steven Brault

Trevor Williams – After a slow start to his season due to a shoulder strain, Williams has put together an impressive July and August as detailed above. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so space would have to be made. There may be a better chance than not that Williams will have to wait until next season due to logistical reasons.

Trevor Williams is Healthy Again, and on a Roll With Indianapolis

Frank Duncan – His story is well-documented — beginning the season in extended spring training, working as a reliever in Double-A Altoona, before being promoted to Indianapolis as a spot starter. He’s since put together one of the most impressive pitching lines in the International League. His 2.03 ERA would lead the league if he were not just a few innings short of qualifying for the leaderboard. He is in the midst of a 23.2 scoreless inning streak. He has been arguably the most consistent pitcher for the Indians this season. He has been considered to project as a reliever down the road, but has seen his velocity tick upwards some this season. While he may not get promoted, Duncan is at least making the organization mull his name over as a potential call-up candidate.

Frank Duncan Making an Impact On and Off the Field With Indianapolis

Kyle Lobstein (40-man roster) – With the exception of two outings, Lobstein has been a consistent performer — whether out of the bullpen or as a spot starter. He did get roughed up in his most recent outing, allowing five earned runs in two innings. Lobstein has a 3.69 ERA in five starts and 13 relief appearances with Indianapolis. What happens with Lobstein may be one of the biggest question marks heading into roster expansion, since the Pirates have plenty of lefties in their bullpen.

Curtis Partch (40-man roster) – Based on his brief time in Pittsburgh, Partch may be one player removed from the 40-man roster to make room for someone else. He has been solid with Indianapolis, especially against lefties, who are hitting just .109 against him.

Dovydas Neverauskas – One of the most intriguing backgrounds on the Indianapolis roster, Neverauskas may be the first Lithuanian to pitch in the major leagues in decades. But he’s had some struggles recently, posting a 5.45 ERA over his last 10 appearances. That’s due to three bad outings where he has allowed two, three, and four earned runs. Otherwise, Neverauskas has been solid with Indianapolis. He participated in The Futures Game this season. He will be a minor league free agent this season if not added to the 40-man roster, which makes him a strong call-up candidate.

From Lithuania to the MLB Futures Game: The Story of Dovydas Neverauskas

While there are some easy moves to predict, there will be some tough decisions needing to be made on some players not on the 40-man roster. Until then, the players will anxiously await a potential call-up.

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