The Pirates did, in fact, call up a shortstop prospect ahead of this weekend's series against the Giants.
It just wasn't in the manner -- or the player -- that anyone expected.
Minutes before Zach Thompson threw the first pitch of Friday night's 2-0 loss to San Francisco at PNC Park, the Pirates announced Liover Peguero was recalled from Class AA Altoona with Tucupita Marcano heading to the COVID-19 IL.
While we've seen some clubs this year make a huge deal of calling up a top prospect, this was not something the Pirates planned to do. Derek Shelton said after Friday night's loss that they found out Marcano was heading to the IL about five hours ahead of first pitch. Simply put, they needed a 26th man.
"With the proximity of where Altoona is, he was the guy we could get here quickly because Indianapolis was in Gwinnett and we couldn't get anybody here," Shelton said. "We didn't want to play short."
Even so, it still made Friday a day to remember for Peguero.
"I still can't believe this," Peguero said. "To be honest, at first I didn't even believe that I was gonna be here. And then it was like I just blinked once and I was already here, so it's kind of crazy."
Peguero got the call to his manager's office just after practice in Altoona, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
"I was really scared, to be honest. I'm not gonna lie," Peguero said. "I didn't know what he was going to tell me."
There was no hiding the excitement of being in the big leagues, even after a brutal loss. Just watch Peguero recall the whole thing:
We know the plan -- for now -- is for Peguero to be in Pittsburgh for Saturday's late-afternoon tilt against the Giants. Maybe he'll play. Maybe he won't.
But the speculation remains that the Pirates' top prospect Oneil Cruz will be called up some time during this homestand. Since it didn't happen prior to the start of this series, fans may finally see Cruz in a Pirates uniform this season when the Cubs come to town Monday. That would likely keep Peguero in Pittsburgh for the remainder of this series, then possibly take Cruz's spot in Indianapolis if he is actually promoted.
Of course, you never know what is going to happen with this team.
Regardless of what happens with the Cruz saga, Peguero -- the club's No. 5 prospect on MLB.com -- is itching to be more than just an extra body on the bench. He has had a solid season with the Curve, slashing .292/.315/.469 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 54 games. If he gets his moment, he'll be ready.
"The way I play the game, that's one of the things I'm really proud about, (being) really aggressive," Peguero said. "I'm just always trying to keep things simple, just focus on the things that I can control."
