Pirates make seven roster moves
Left-hander Mike Johnston and right-hander Jonah Bayliss were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Infielders Javier Guzman and Craig Stansberry and right-hander Josh Sharpless were optioned to Double-A Altoona. Right-hander Matt Peterson and outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the Bucs' top pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, were reassigned to Minor League camp.
Johnston, who was on Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster in 2004, was shocked to be among the first group of players to be sent down.
"You figure you've been with an organization for eight years you might hang around a little longer and get a better look at you," said Johnston. "But they wanted to see some of the older guys, guys they had in the past and guys they know will get the job done. They want to have a winner.
"You can't blame them for (the demotion). I've had two bad outings the last two outings, walked four guys and gave up a few hits. I just didn't get the job done. They didn't see what they wanted. Hopefully, I'll do well in Indianapolis and get called up again."
Johnston walked three and gave up four hits and two earned runs in four innings. Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield would have liked Johnston to be more consistent in the strike zone.
"We've got a better pitching staff than we've had in years past and there's a lot more competition," said Littlefield. "Some of the results do count. So far, we just haven't had enough strikes."
Although McCutchen, 19, had just three hits in 17 Grapefruit League at-bats, he impressed the big-league staff with his combination of raw talent, baseball instincts and poise.
"We have to get the numbers down to be able to get the right guys innings," said Littlefield.
Sharpless came to his first Major League camp with impressive Minor League credentials but only seven games of professional experience above the Class A level.
With that in mind, he wasn't surprised by his early demotion. In fact, the Beaver, Pa., native was happy just to soak in the Major League atmosphere for as long as he could.
"I just enjoyed it while it lasted," said Sharpless. "The first three or four days it was kind of nerve-wracking. I was in awe. It didn't seem real to me. As time went on, I felt more and more relaxed. It's been an awesome experience. It gives you confidence going back to the Minor Leagues and hoping that you'll be called up at some point of the season."
Sharpless has had a phenomenal Minor League career since being selected in the 24th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. In 90 relief appearances, the right-hander has gone 11-3 with a 2.35 ERA, 14 saves and 213 strikeouts in 142 innings while limiting opponents to a miniscule .149 batting average. He did not allow an earned run in 27 innings with Class A Lynchburg last season before being promoted to Altoona, where he went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in seven appearances before being sidelined by right elbow inflammation in late June.
"I've been very impressed. He's a done a very nice job," said Littlefield. "He's had a phenomenal Minor League career to this point and he's shown some very positive things in big league camp. I think the experience has been good for him. I think he's got a bright future."
Sharpless allowed just two hits while tossing three shutout innings in three Grapefruit League appearances. Although the 25-year-old has never started a game in the Minor Leagues, he impressed Tracy enough that the Bucs' skipper considers Sharpless a potential starter in the big leagues.
"If this kid maintains the same type of mentality and approach that he possesses right now, it's a matter of time before you start strongly talking about the fact that he is a candidate to come here and start a Major League game," said Tracy. "I look at this guy as being a very good starting pitcher some day."
Ed Eagle is a reporter for MLB.com.