The one I've been talking about all year is Brad Lincoln, who had a nice looking start on Monday. Despite my love for the Texan, I do think he might be better suited as bullpen pitcher. While I still would rather see him in the rotation than Correia, the Pirates do have other options to consider.
Their names are Jeff Locke and Rudy Owens.
Owens has been great in AAA so far this year, compiling a 2.25 ERA in 48 innings. He has an 8.0 strikeout to walk ratio which is phenomenal, although it is more of a testament to how few he walks (0.8 per nine) rather than how many he strikes out (6.0 per nine). He has seriously good control, which is a good thing for him because he doesn't have the greatest stuff. Owens has been in AAA since the start of last year so you can't think there's too much more for him to do there. As far as I'm concerned he's ready for the Major Leagues. Nobody really expects this guy to be much more than 4 or 5 starter in his career, so you might as well get a look at him while you have the chance. Jeff Karstens is on his way back to the rotation and when that happens he takes the spot regardless. Owens could come up and get two or three starts and the Pirates could learn a bit about him.
Same goes with Jeff Locke, who I think might have a brighter future than Owens, which is why I wouldn't mind him staying down in AAA until a definite opening appears. Locke spent some time in the big leagues last year and wasn't too impressive, but you can't take much from his first go around. He made five starts in AAA last year and has made eight of them so far this year. He has 3.02 ERA in 47.2 innings this year. He has 6.8 strikeouts per nine and 1.9 walks per nine, which is a 3.60 K/BB ratio, less impressive than Owens certainly but still solid. Locke has better stuff than Owens at the same age, so I'm thinking the Pirates should plan more for him being a fixture in the rotation in the future - although that might not ever happen.
Neither of these guys are going to be starters for the Pirates the rest of the year unless more injuries happen. I'm just saying that there's a definite opening in the rotation right now, and those few starts could be used on one of these guys. Lincoln will eventually be a bullpen pitcher for good, so why not just start it now? Let's see Owens up here for a few starts to see what he's got against major league hitters and the give him another chance when an opportunity presents itself.
You won't see me complaining if Brad Lincoln starts against the Tigers Sunday, because I love that dude.
