Pirates Neal Huntington Show: No Call Up for Matt Hague, Pedro Alvarez Will Return

The Neal Huntington Show

notes from Sunday September 5, 2011. Once again, this is recapped as quickly and briefly as possible.

The news from the show was Matt Hague will not be called up this month. The Indianapolis Indians MVP has an International League high 165 hits.  Hague was playing some third base as recently as a month ago, but has been primarily a 1B this season with Indy.

Hague hits equally well against lefties (.308) and right handers (.310) and has solid OPS against both as well with an .810 against left handers and  an .836 against right handers.

Huntington also stated that Pedro Alvarez will return to the Pirates when the Indians wrap up the season tomorrow. The Tribe has been eliminated from post season action despite going 8-2 in their past ten games.

Huntington also mentioned that Gorkys Hernandez won’t be getting the call to the big club.  During the 2011 season, Hernandez has been exceptional in the field and was called the IL’s ‘Best Outfield Arm’ by Baseball America, he has eleven outfield assists.

Hernandez has improved his hitting this season which was always considered his weakness.  In his past ten games, Hernandez has an OPS of 1.078.  The outfielder struggled with strikeouts, 91, and has walked just 34 times, but is now hitting .285 on the year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield is already a little overpopulated and with Alex Presley putting his foot on the gas to win a job, Hernandez won’t be hearing his phone ring either.

We have to think that the team is flirting with Derrek Lee to give him the majority of the starts to end the season. Hague couldn’t have had a better season.

It’s an interesting take on playing out the string for the Bucs.  It’s obvious this team wants to win a few more games and would rather do it with the veterans that they acquired at the deadline than some younger players.

We never felt the Bucs would find much playing time for either player, but to not get the call after solid seasons was a bit surprising.  Especially when Hague played so well and what would it hurt for him to learn from one of the best defenders in the game?

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