The Pirates' focus on 2019 has brought another prospect to the major leagues. Kevin Kramer, the team's second-round draft pick in 2015, was recalled, along with five others, from Triple-A Indianapolis Tuesday.
Kramer, 24, will play second and third base, possibly next to Kevin Newman, after a breakout season where he batted .311/.365/.492 with 15 home runs, 35 doubles, 15 home runs and 59 RBIs in 129 games. He's not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Reds; however, he began working with infielders coach Joey Cora and will be available off the bench.
With Triple-A Indianapolis' season over, catcher Ryan Lavarnway, reliever Tanner Anderson, reliever Michael Feliz, outfielder Jordan Luplow and reliever Clay Holmes were also recalled. To make room for Kramer and Lavarnway on the 40-man roster, reliever Buddy Boshers was designated for assignment.
"Obviously very excited to be here, grateful for the opportunity first and foremost," Kramer told reporters after being included in the Pirates' team photo. "It’s a great clubhouse to walk into."
It's one he could walk into daily next season. Kramer, ranked by Baseball America as the Pirates' eighth-best prospect, is expected to compete for a spot on the opening day roster next spring. To do that, he'll have to show Clint Hurdle he's capable of being a solid defender at both second and third base.
Kramer played both positions at Triple-A Indianapolis, as well as shortstop, to better prepare himself to make the Pirates' big league roster. Adam Frazier is expected to take over as the Pirates' starting second baseman in 2019, and Neal Huntington recently expressed confidence that Colin Moran can still be a "good major league third baseman."
Yet, Huntington said Kramer will be given a chance to show he can help the Pirates rebound next season. After all, the left-handed hitter made considerable progress in his first season at Triple-A. Aside from his final line, Kramer batted .312 in 154 at-bats against lefties — a weakness earlier in his career and a necessary skill given that Frazier and Moran are also left-handed — and was among the most consistent hitters at that level after a rough May.
Kramer batted .344 in 297 at-bats from June 1 to the end of his Triple-A season, and he's provided the type of power the Pirates have lacked the past two seasons. That production, Kramer explained to DKPittsburghSports.com in July, is the result of a simple adjustment. Kramer turned his focus to timing, rather than the mechanics of his swing.
Last season, Kramer changed his swing to focus on driving the ball at Double-A, and it led to a breakthrough before he broke his hand on a hit-by-pitch. Worrying about repeating that swing led to some regression after he left big-league camp in Bradenton, Fla.
As important, he developed some comfort playing multiple positions, which he'll need to do to ensure he doesn't spend another day on a Triple-A roster.
"A little nervous over there playing third for the first time in probably four or five years," he said. "After a couple days over there it was, ‘Okay, this is cool, this is awesome. Let’s get back over here and see what I can do.’ Obviously, that can help here. I’m not sure where I’ll be playing here, if at all, but that’s not my concern. My concern is to come up here and learn and grow and to help this team in any way they need."
At-bats may be scarce this month as Hurdle tries to find time for Kramer, Newman, Adam Frazier, Pablo Reyes, Jose Osuna and his two remaining veterans: Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison. However, Hurdle and Neal Huntington plan to prioritize the young players since they're more likely to be part of the current core.
David Freese and Sean Rodriguez are gone. Mercer and Harrison will likely follow. That leaves a vacancy at shortstop, as well as a few bench spots. This month will give Kramer an opportunity to build on what he's accomplished while being tested in the "best league in the world."
Hurdle indicated he plans to use Kramer at second with Newman at short this month, though neither is in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds. Those two, as well as the recent call-ups, will also provide rest for players who have already solidified a spot on next season's roster.
Lavarnway, 31, was signed as a minor-league free agent this past offseason to provide depth behind Jacob Stallings and had his finest offensive season. The right-handed hitter batted .288 with a .860 OPS, nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 77 games. With Elias Diaz's status uncertain because of a hamstring injury, the Pirates did not want to carry only two catchers in September, and used the promotion as a way to "honor" what Lavarnway accomplished at Triple-A, Hurdle said.
Anderson, Feliz and Holmes will also give the Pirates an opportunity to rest their bullpen. Edgar Santana, who hasn't pitched since Wednesday in St. Louis, has thrown 61 1/3 innings. Richard Rodriguez has thrown 58 1/3 after spending most of his offseason pitching in the Dominican Winter League. Kyle Crick and Keone Kela have pitched 52 1/3 and 51 1/3 innings, respectively. Meanwhile, Luplow is starting Tuesday in place of Corey Dickerson with a Reds lefty starter on the mound.
