NewsBucs GM previews September callups
Huntington says Clement a strong possibility for promotion
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
08/23/09 2:32 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- With Sept. 1 just over a week away, general manager Neal Huntington said that the organization anticipates calling up fewer players this season than last year and that some of the additions will happen later than usual.Because the Triple-A season does not end until Sept. 7, Huntington said it's unlikely that all the extra players the Pirates bring to Pittsburgh will come up as soon as rosters expand. Instead, the Pirates will add a handful of players -- most likely extra bullpen arms -- initially, followed by a few others after the Minor League season ends.
Last year, the Pirates added 10 extra players for the season's final month, with all of those additions joining the team on Sept. 1.
So who might be in line to earn a spot on the big league roster in September?
Huntington has all but guaranteed that first baseman Jeff Clement, whom the Pirates acquired from Seattle on July 29, will be in the group. Clement has been impressive at Triple-A Indianapolis since joining the organization. He entered Sunday with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 21 games.
But with Clement's defensive abilities as a first baseman being the biggest long-term question mark, the Pirates have every intention of getting him to Pittsburgh to work with highly-regarded infield instructor Perry Hill.
"It's a work in progress," Huntington said of Clement's defense. "He's worked hard at it. He's shown he hasn't had a lot of time over there, but he also has a great work ethic and he's worked to try and get better very quickly. An extra month of special work with Perry Hill should help."
Starter Daniel McCutchen, though not guaranteed, has also put himself in a favorable position to make his Major League debut in September. The Pirates would have to clear a space on the 40-man roster for McCutchen if he were among the players called up, but considering he has gone 5-1 with a 1.37 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break, McCutchen certainly offers the Pirates an extra rotation option.
With the Pirates anticipating that Ross Ohlendorf and Kevin Hart will have to be limited in their inning counts as the season nears its end, the Pirates will need to go with a six-man rotation or at the least have someone available to spot start.
"Daniel has put himself on the radar to be a strong candidate for that," Huntington said. "His innings workload is OK, so he could take some September starts. He has certainly pitched well these past six weeks. The velocity is back where it was. The command is good. He's thrown the ball very well."
With Brian Bixler having recently joined the club, catcher Robinzon Diaz could well be the only position player added. Third baseman Neil Walker would be another outside possibility. On the pitching end, the Pirates are expected to add some bullpen help. Jose Ascanio and Donnie Veal will come off the disabled list, so that will add two relievers already.
One player who won't be making a cameo appearance in Pittsburgh is outfielder Jose Tabata, who seems likely to play in the Arizona Fall League or in winter ball this offseason.
"With Jose, we've got some other things planned for him this offseason that take precedence over 10 games in September," Huntington said, without divulging the specifics of those plans. "You could argue that he's deserving of [a callup], but with the questions that we have to answer on our Major League team right now and the other things we have planned this offseason, he might not be a guy that comes up in September."
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
