Surprise September callup?

by plato on Aug 28, 2006 10:44 PM EDT

In his half-inning TV appearance on Saturday's broadcast of the game against the Tigers, Mark Shapiro was asked who might be called up to the Tribe in September. If I recall correctly, he said there would be a few, mostly pitchers, and said the callups might include a surprise. Contemplating who the surprise, if there is one, might be, I looked at the Buffalo roster and came up with a candidate. Obviously, Guthrie and Slocum have been up before, and, among position players Gutierrez has been up before so they shouldn't be considered a surprise. And the way Kouzmanoff has been hitting, no one should be surprised if he is called up. The Bisons do have a pitcher who has the 2nd lowest ERA in the league among pitchers who have pitched as many as 102 innings. Although he has started 11 games, he has 22 relief appearances. Since the team's biggest need in the offseason is to find additional help in the bullpen, he might warrant a look during the last month of 2006. The name? Hyang-Nam Choi. Immaturity shouldn't be a problem either; he's 35 years old.
Anyway, that's my guess. Of course, there could be no surprise, too.

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Re: Surprise September callup?

I think you're on to something. The Indians have a couple 40-man roster spots to play with, and Choi's pitched well for the Bisons in a number of roles. It would be a nice reward for a player who might not have another shot at the majors.

by Ryan on Aug 28, 2006 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

Look deeper

Jumping Adam Miller from Akron to the majors, possibly in a relief role to limit his innings, would probably be considered something of a surprise. Seeing as Miller might end up being the single best option for the Indians to add a power pitcher to the rotation coming out of camp next year, it would make sense to get him some experience in a relatively low pressure setting.

by mrkupe on Aug 29, 2006 7:01 PM EDT reply actions

Possibly, but after the Carmona debacle - not sure

Hello again mrkupe, it's been a while.

Possibly - a creative idea, but after the Carmona debacle, I'm not sure if the Indians will be as willing to try that now with Miller.

There could also be concern over switching his role, even briefly, as possibly increasing the risk to his elbow. The change may do nothing, but I'm not sure the Indians will want to risk it and possibly "ruin a good thing," especially after Miller has had a year of clean health and has more-less regained his previous form, plus has developed his changeup and 2-seam fastball, making him an even better pitcher.

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Aug 29, 2006 8:36 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Surprise September callup?

Fearless prediction: Miller will not pitch one more inning above Double-A this year.

Will they call him up to sit in the dugout and soak up the big-league ambience? Maybe, I guess.

by Jay on Aug 30, 2006 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Surprise September callup?

The Columbus Dispatch alluded to a possible call-up for Juan Lara. I wasn't real familiar with him. He's a lefty, 6' 1" 200 lbs, 25 years old. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 1999, didn't pitch above rookie ball until 2003. He has pitched at Akron and Buffalo this year.

Club W-L ERA IP BB K HR
AKR 4-2 2.70 46.2 21 48 2
BUF 1-1 3.00 12.0 3 13 1

Generally good strikeout rates and K/BB ratio over the last few years, relatively few HR allowed.

by InfiniteMonkeyTypists on Aug 30, 2006 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Surprise September callup?

That Lara's a lefty, with no lefties currently in the tribe's pen, is a point in his favor. But only 12 innings at AAA is a point against him. Also interesting is that his ERA against lefties (at Buffalo) is 0.00, while his ERA against righties is a less impressive 4.91.

by plato on Aug 30, 2006 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Surprise September callup?

When a 40-man addition is imminent, lack of Triple-A experience usually doesn't present a roadblock to a September callup.

That said, this organization doesn't give away service time frivolously. I think they're only going to give further callups to new guys they really feel have earned them and would benefit.

by Jay on Aug 30, 2006 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Lara also!

Hello everyone,

While I agree with Jay that the Indians aren't going to call just anyone up, I think Lara has done better than maybe what was expected of him coming into this year, and being that we have a need for bullpen lefties, it wouldn't totally surprise me if both Lara and Perez are called up.

Go Tribe! :-)

by indiansfan on Aug 30, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions