INDIANAPOLIS – I arrived this morning in Indianapolis, prepared to cover the Pirates’ loaded Triple-A team for the next five days. Originally, that was supposed to include Alen Hanson, who is one of the top hitting prospects on the team. However, Hanson was called up today to Pittsburgh, replacing Starling Marte while the left fielder is on paternity leave. I did get a chance to talk with Indianapolis Manager Dean Treanor about what led to Hanson getting the call.
“I think because it was a short period of time, and they were looking for a specific skill set, his speed comes into play,” Treanor said. “I’m not sure exactly how they’re going to use him in a short period of time, but at least it’s an option to pinch run late in the game, and so on. I think that it was more along that line. They get him for a short time, so it will be a short look. They just want to see what he’s able to do.”
Hanson spent his final nine games in Triple-A starting in left field. Treanor said that this was in preparation for filling in for Marte. Once Hanson returns, he will go back to rotating around the field, playing mostly second base, some third base, and one start a week in the outfield. Treanor described the outfield work as “Okay”, which is to be expected for a career infielder who has played 21 career games in left field, and 10 since 2010.
“There’s challenges out there, because you’re not used to it,” Treanor said. “The ball is in the air, I think he’s fine because of his speed. Had a little tough time the other night on the line drive over his head, but that’s a tough play for any outfielder that has been out there their whole career. I think that his athleticism gives him a chance to play out there.”
Hanson isn’t in the starting lineup tonight for the Pirates, with Matt Joyce getting the start in right field and Gregory Polanco getting a start in left field. It will be interesting to see if the Pirates give him a start, or if they use the call-up as a way for him to learn the big league routine, which is something they did a few years ago with Jordy Mercer, and did last September with Elias Diaz.
Trevor Williams Close to a Return
Trevor Williams is currently rehabbing from his shoulder soreness that put him out early in his first start of the season. Williams threw a sim game two weeks ago in Indianapolis, and just completed his second rehab start down in Bradenton. The plan was for him to go three rehab outings, going three, four, and five innings before returning.
“They wanted to get him stretched out before [returning],” Treanor said, noting that Williams is close. “They want him to get us through five innings when he gets here.”
Williams is currently at four innings, and could throw that five inning start at the end of the week. That could put him back in the Indianapolis rotation at some point next week. This isn’t a surprise, as Altoona Manager Joey Cora said last week that Frank Duncan was only expected to make a few starts in Triple-A before returning and joining the Altoona rotation. Duncan is expected to make the start for Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Steven Brault Out 6-8 Weeks
Steven Brault went down a little over a week ago with a hamstring strain, which Treanor said was a Grade 2 strain. Brault is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which would put his return from late-June to mid-July. That should allow him to get a decent amount of innings in the minors, but it might prevent him from reaching the majors this year, since he’s losing valuable development time right now, and will need to build back up when he returns.
