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Sunday, June 24, 2001

The plan was to have Jack Wilson be the everyday shortstop, although he was sent down for a time after hitting .155 in his first 19 games. But Wilson was recalled by the Pirates along with a host of other Generation Xers.

Injuries and other circumstances forced the organization's hand. The Pirates now have two rookies in the starting rotation, left-handers Joe Beimel, who is 23, and Dave Williams, 22. Neither pitched above Class AA before this year.

Also seeing spot duty in utilities roles are Craig Wilson, 24, Rob Mackowiak, 25, and Andy Barkett, 26, Damaso Marte, 26, was called up Friday for bullpen duty.

Having that many rookies on a major-league roster is a sure sign that something has gone wrong or a massive rebuilding effort is under way. The organization's master plan won't be made public until the new general manager is named, although there is a school of thought that the youth movement needed to be started regardless of who Kevin McClatchy names to replace fired Cam Bonifay.

In the meantime, all the youngsters can do is give it their best shot when called upon.

"None of us expected to be here. It's a chance to show what we can do, or maybe show somebody else what we can do," said Mackowiak, who made his eighth start at second base and 14th overall last night. Entering the game, Mackowiak had 17 hits in his past 44 at-bats (.386) and was hitting .316.

Beimel has been the most pleasant surprise of the season. If injuries had not devastated the starting rotation in spring training, he likely would have opened the season in Nashville instead of Pittsburgh. But he made his debut as a starter, got some seasoning in the bullpen and is back in the rotation. He will be making his fifth start today.

"These guys who came up don't have to do anything more than they're capable of and don't have to do anything extra," said Beimel, who is 3-2 with a 3.59 ERA. "The best piece of advice I got before my first start was from [broadcaster] Steve Blass. He told me to remember that the name across the back of my jersey was Beimel, not Superman."

The latest newcomer to be thrust into a starting role is Williams, who began the season with Altoona but will pitch tomorrow's game against the Brewers.

"Our minor-league system is there to help out the big-league team, whether it's an injury or whether somebody got traded. In the minor leagues, I always thought I wanted to learn as much as I could because you never know when the organization's going to call on you. You have to be prepared. I felt like I did that this year," Williams said.

"When I broke camp in Double-A, I just tried to learn as much as I could. I knew the situation up here with the injuries and all. I wanted to be that guy that the organization called on," he said. "Maybe my opportunity wouldn't have come as soon as it did [without the injuries]. Everything happens for a reason."

The timetable on player development is moving quickly for some of the Pirates' fresh faces. Under normal circumstances, they would be playing every day in the minors, learning the game without the glare of the spotlight.

Craig Wilson, for one, has shown some power with four home runs and seven RBIs in 40 at bats. He has been developing under the eye of catching instructor Russ Nixon, but the Pirates hope he'll get some playing time and regular at-bats in the winter leagues.

"He needs to go somewhere this winter and put a glove on his hand," Manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Maybe nobody in the organization is saying it out loud yet. But the future might already be here.

Trade winds

Trade rumors have been swirling around the Pirates more than usual at this time of year.

The contingent of scouts attending Pirates games has increased of late, a sure indication other clubs are taking a look at what the Pirates have to offer. Players said to be on the auction block are Mike Williams and John Vander Wal.

They are aware of the rumors but have to concentrate on their jobs.

"I expect to be traded, but I can't worry about that," said Williams, who will be a free agent at the end of the year. "It's just rumors and speculation right now. It starts every year. At least I know I'm wanted -- and not by the FBI."

Vander Wal has heard the talk too.

"I'm trying not to think about it. There's nothing you can do about it. All you can do is go out and perform. But it's definitely in the back of my mind," he said.

McClendon, who was traded twice during his playing days, understands the talk but said yesterday he doesn't think any deals are imminent.

"It's the nature of the business. The way I look at it, Babe Ruth got traded. If he can get traded, anybody can get traded."

But what does it do to a player to hear his name mentioned in potential deals?

"Some guys might want out. Some guys might want to stay. Some guys are motivated to play even harder, and some guys go into a hole. It depends on the player," McClendon said.