Major League Baseball

Soon-to-arrive kids could revamp woeful Pirates

Published May. 19, 2010 8:29 p.m. ET

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If Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Aki Iwamura isn't looking over his shoulder, perhaps he should. First baseman Jeff Clement and right-hander Charlie Morton, too.

Why? The kids are coming: Third baseman Pedro Alvarez, right-hander Brad Lincoln, outfielder Jose Tabata. Looks to be soon, too.

They could be in the majors as early as next month, or by July or August at the latest. When they are called up, Pirates president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington will begin to learn if the prospects they've touted for several years will indeed stop the franchise's seemingly endless cycle of losing.

Alvarez, a No. 2 draft pick in 2008 and the organization's top power prospect since Barry Bonds, needs only to get more comfortable facing left-handed pitching and the Pirates will recall him from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Another start or two like the one Lincoln made Monday for Indianapolis, and he could replace Morton in the Pirates' rotation. Tabata may not be far behind, even if the outfielder isn't showing the power the Pirates would like.

``Each one of these guys is getting closer to the big leagues,'' Huntington said. ``Is it the end of May? Is it the middle of June? The first of July? They'll tell us and they'll show us as they continue to progress.''

Once the moves are made, Andy LaRoche could be moved from third base to second to replace the light-hitting Iwamura (.156). Tabata's recall could shift Garrett Jones from right field to first base to replace Clement (.189).

The message the Pirates are sending to their current players: Ramp up your performance - or else.

``We've got a group of guys who are knocking at the door,'' Huntington said. ``The guys at the major league level, they need to hold their jobs - or they're in a position to be supplanted by one of these younger guys.''

Alvarez, 23, looked to be the most major league ready of the three during spring training, and the Pirates' assessment hasn't changed.

While the Pirates wish his .247 average was higher, he has nine homers and 36 RBIs in 150 at-bats. One worry is his .214 average against lefties.

``We're still looking to get Pedro established offensively,'' Huntington said.

Tabata, the 21-year-old acquired from the Yankees two years ago, went through a rough experience last year when his wife - who is more than twice his age - was arrested in Florida in a child abduction case.

Tabata was not involved, but the Pirates like how he has matured since the experience. He said he no longer talks to the woman.

This season, Tabata is hitting .323 with two homers and 14 RBIs and has 19 stolen bases in 36 games at Indianapolis.

``The raw power is there,'' Huntington said. ``He's actually fulfilling our organizational belief, which is to hit (for average), and the power will develop. There's a track record of guys who have been quality minor league hitters who have bat speed, athleticism and all the traits Jose has, and develop power at the major league level.''

Lincoln was a first-round pick in 2006, but needed reconstructive elbow surgery less than a year later that delayed his career. This season, he's made the most substantial improvement of the Pirates' three prime prospects, going 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA in eight Triple-A games.

On Monday, he retired the first 16 batters he faced, stuck out 10 and allowed four hits in seven innings of a 3-0 loss to Toledo that was marred by a three-run homer. Lincoln has a 2.57 ERA this month, with 21 strikeouts and three walks, and is throwing again in the mid-90 miles per hour range.

With Morton (1-7) struggling with a 9.68 ERA that is the worst of any major league starter, Lincoln is making a push to be promoted soon.

So is Neil Walker, a first-round pick in 2004 who is hitting .327 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 154 at-bats. However, Huntington singled out the son of former major leaguer Tom Walker for recently failing to hustle, which might delay any promotion.

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