Who Will Be The Pittsburgh Pirates’ September Call Ups?

We are just five days away from Major League Baseball rosters expanding on September first. So that raises the question, who will be the Pittsburgh Pirates September call ups?

We are just five days away from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ roster expanding. This is due to September call ups being right around the corner. In baseball, when September first arrives so do the reinforcements from the Minor Leagues.

When you are in the postseason hunt like the Pittsburgh Pirates are September call ups can be vital. Teams that are not in contention will use September call ups simply to get young players their first Major League experience. However, when you are competing for a postseason spot you need to use the spots on players that can help with this.

Due to this I do not expect the Pirates to make a lot of September call ups. The Pirates will only call up players that they believe can help them reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive season. So, who might their September call ups be?

Next: Bullpen Help

Right-handed relief pitcher A.J. Schugel

One player that is a shoe-in to earn a September call up is right-handed reliever A.J. Schugel. Schugel has spent a lot of time in the Major Leagues this season. Schugel has pitched 49 innings for the Pittsburgh Pirates so far in 2016, and he has pitched very effectively in those 49 innings.

In these 49 innings pitched A.J. Schugel is averaging 7.90 K/9, 2.39 BB/9, 0.73 HR/9, and he has a 1.08 WHIP. Schugel has also flashed a plus change up that opposing batters are hitting just .086 against. Due to this great change up Schugel has held left-handed hitters to just a .169 average, .258 slugging percentage, and a .228 wOBA.

In 2016 A.J. Schugel has been the Pittsburgh Pirates’ best rookie. If the season ended today, he would be my Pirates’ rookie of the year for 2016. Without a doubt he will earn a September call up and he will be a boost to an already strong bullpen.

Next: Mr. Do It All

Super utility man Alen Hanson

Alen Hanson is a prospect that Pittsburgh Pirates’ fans have heard a lot about in recent years. The former top 100 overall prospects has had plenty of ups and downs in the Minor Leagues, though. Due to this his value has dropped some.

However, in May Hanson made his Major League debut when Starling Marte went on paternity leave. During his three game stint in the Majors Alen Hanson had just two at bats. However, in these two at bats he showed how he can impact a baseball game. 

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The switch-hitting Hanson was 1-for-2 during his stint with the Pirates in May. This included Hanson scoring a run. And he scored this run due to his great speed. Hanson was able to go first to third on a play many players do not go first to third on. Then, he would score on a sacrifice fly.

When Hanson’s Minor League career began he was a shortstop. However, due to defensive issues he moved to second base. Now Hanson is a super utility player for Triple-A Indianapolis. This season Hanson has played second base, third base, left field, and right field.

As I said above, maybe Hanson’s best attribute is his speed. He has stolen 36 bases at Triple-A this year, and this comes after stealing 35 last season. In 2014 he swiped 25 bags for Double-A Altoona, and he swiped 30 bags in 2013 between Low-A and High-A.

I fully expect Alen Hanson to be a September call up. He is a switch hitter, his speed can change a game, and he bring positional flexibility. These are all qualities Clint Hurdle loves in a player.

Next: The Return Of An Old Friend

Catcher Chris Stewart

Even though this may make some Pittsburgh Pirate fans angry, Chris Stewart will be back as Francisco Cervelli‘s back up when rosters expand. Stewart has been on the disabled list since July due to a knee injury. However, he has been rehabbing for Double-A Altoona the past few weeks.

Honestly, Chris Stewart is probably ready to return from injury already. However, since Eric Fryer has no options remaining it makes more since to wait until September call ups to bring Stewart back. By doing this the Pirates will not lose Fryer on waivers, and help preserve organizational depth at catcher.

Prior to going on the disabled list Chris Stewart was having a typical Chris Stewart season. He was drawing walks (10.5 percent walk rate) and playing great defense. In the Major Leagues this season Stewart has one defensive run saved, he was an above average pitch framer, and he was throwing out 25 percent of opposing base runners.

Stewart has caught seven games for the Curve during his rehab stint. In these seven games he has 24 plate appearances and in these 24 plate appearances he owns a .419 on-base percentage. I am going to the Curve game tonight, so, hopefully, I will get to see Stew behind the dish.

Next: A Bench Bat

Left-handed relief pitcher Kyle Lobstein

Kyle Lobstein is another player that knows the route between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh well. The left-handed reliever has made multiple trips between the Major Leagues and Triple-A this season. However, I expect him to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates in September.

While Lobstein’s 3.96 ERA in the Major Leagues this season is strong, his peripherals indicate it should have been higher. Lobstein’s FIP is 4.67, xFIP is 5.04, and he was averaging 4.32 BB/9. However, Lobstein only allowed two home runs in his 25 innings pitched in the Majors this season.

At Triple-A, Lobstein has bounced back and forth between Indy’s rotation and bullpen. All in all Lobstein has pitched 46 1/3 innings for Indianapolis. In these 46 1/3 innings pitched he is averaging 7.96 K/9, 3.30 BB/9, 0.58 HR/9, and he has a 1.36 WHIP. This has resulted in a 3.69 ERA and a 3.38 FIP.

While Kyle Lobstein has never had much Major League success, he can still provide the Pittsburgh Pirates with some value as a September call up. This is due to the fact if a game is out of hand, Clint Hurdle can turn to him to eat up innings to save the main bullpen bullets. A lose the battle to win the war type strategy.

Next: Anyone Else?

While I expect the Pittsburgh Pirates to have more than five September call ups, I do not believe we will see a lot at once. There are other players I could most certainly see being called up in September. However, it may have to wait until after Indianapolis’ season ends.

Catcher Elias Diaz and starting pitcher Steven Brault and Trevor Williams are three players that fit this bill. Right now Diaz is best served starting everyday, but I could see him returning to the Majors when Indy’s season ends. I could also see Brault and Williams joining the Pirates’ bullpen after the end of the Triple-A season.

There is also starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow. If Glasnow is able to get healthy, I believe he will return to the Pirates this September as well. While it might be in a bullpen role instead of the starting rotation, having a healthy Tyler Glasnow can only help.

In five days September call ups will begin. The Pittsburgh Pirates will be calling up players they believe can help them reach the postseason for a fourth consecutive season. The players named in this slide show are some names to keep an eye on as call ups begin.