Meet Your Bucs: Jeff Locke and Jared Hughes

by Zane Heiple

The Pittsburgh Pirates were busy making roster moves on Tuesday.  Included in those moves was the bringing up of two players who we have not seen in Pittsburgh uniforms during this season.  Left-handed pitcher Jeff Locke and right-handed pitcher Jared Hughes will make their 2011 debuts for the Pirates the next time they are called upon by manager Clint Hurdle.

Photo by bleacherreport.com

Locke is a former second round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2006 draft.  He came to the Pittsburgh organization on June 3, 2009 along with Charlie Morton and Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for Nate McClouth.  Once with the Buccos he was assigned to Class A Lynchburg and then Bradenton when the team was moved.  In July of 2010 he was promoted to AA Altoona.  Locke remained in Altoona for the rest of 2010 and appeared in 23 games for the team in 2011.  While in Altoona he posted a 7-8 record, an ERA of 4.03, and would strike out 114 batters to go with 46 walks.  After he was promoted to AAA Indianapolis, he would go 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA, while striking out 25 and walking 9.

Photo by pirates.scout.com

Hughes was a fourth round pick of the Buccos during the 2006 draft.  During his time in the Pirates minor league organization, he has been at all levels.  He would begin the 2011 season with the AA Altoona Curve.  In Altoona he would start 11 of the 13 games he appeared in posting a 3-4 record while posting an ERA of 4.09.  His time with AAA Indianapolis would see him come out of the bullpen 35 times and strike out 45 batters while walking 18.  When summoned out of the bullpen he would post a 3-1 record and an ERA 2.11.

The stage is set for both of these players to show that they are ready to handle facing Major League batters when given the opportunity.  Management has yet to announce if they will call up any other players from the minors before the 2011 season ends at the end of this month.