“We're excited about the guys we're sending out,” Pirates director of player development Kyle Stark said. “We definitely had more options this year, both pitchers and position players.
“Donnie Veal will start in start in Arizona,” Stark indicated. “Watson he's missed the season. We need to get him some innings.”
“Danny Moskos has earned this opportunity, the way he's thrown the ball,” Stark stated. “Based on innings and everything, he'll pitch out of the bullpen. If he's got a chance to keep the ball on the ground and be a left-handed starter, we're going to go that route with him.
“Both Brian Friday and Chase d'Arnaud will primarily play in the middle of the infield,” Stark explained. “I don't know how much time they're going to get at short. But don't read too much into that we're moving those guys. We believe both of those guys have a chance to be big league shortstops. We're just limited on innings out there. It's more about getting those guys a chance to play against that level of competition, get some more at-bats and add some versatility.”
“At the end of the day, all Tabata wants to do is play baseball,” Stark offered. “That's allowed him to go out and play and not worry about all the other stuff. He's human, so there are times when he struggles with some different things. But his simple focus has allowed him to get through this and be pretty mature in how he's handled things.”
Stark indicated that Tabata is not likely to be a September call up.
“Most likely, the focus will be on him going out to the Fall League,” Stark said. “September call-ups are about guys who are going to contribute up here. There's limited at-bats for some of the guys who are already here.”
The Pirates will announce another pitching prospect will be sent to Arizona at a later date.
Minor-league field coordinator Jeff Bannister will manage the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.
"It will be nice to have somebody there on a daily basis to really push our guys," Huntington said.