The thread about when to call Pedro up stimulated some very good discussion, so I thought I would make a thread devoted to Tabata.  After heating up in Indy, Jose has an impressive .355/.427/.473 line for an sexy .900 OPS in 25 games.  He has 12 stolen bases and 2 caught stealings, perhaps the biggest surprise about this kid.  I don't have any advanced fielding stats on him, and quite frankly I would trust an eyeball test more than 25 games of data, but from what I have heard he is Major League ready from a defensive standpoint.

So what do you guys think the plan will or should be with Tabata?  The only thing that he hasn't shown in Indy is a ton of power, as he only has 2 homers in 110 at bats.  I think he should be called up as soon as the Super Two deadline is over.  Unlike Pearce, Tabata is only coming to Pittsburgh if he gets a full-time starting job.  I don't mind if he we put Tabata in left field or right field, but he has to be called up.  3-4 weeks from now an injury or horrible performance from a starter may make it easy to decide what player he should replace in the lineup, but I want to see him in the leadoff spot every game.  Aki is awful this year.

If you don't want to see him in June, why not?  If you do, who should he take playing time from?  My proposed lineup (before Alvarez gets called up)

RF: Tabata
3B: LaRoche
CF: Cutch
1B: Jones
C: Doumit
LF: Milledge/ Church/ Peace competition (shift Pearce to right and Tabata to left if necessary)
2B: Aki/ Neil
P