Who Will Be The Pittsburgh Pirates' September Call Ups?

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Apr 24, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kyle Lobstein against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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