Ngoepe, Inman promoted to AAA; Glasnow returns to AA

Indianapolis' roster shows that infielder Gift Ngoepe and reliever Jeff Inman have been promoted from Altoona to AAA.  Ngoepe has improved his hitting this year, possibly as a result of giving up switch hitting.  He currently has a line of 260/338/362 and he's improved his K rate, although it remains over one every four at-bats.  The oft-injured Inman missed the first month of the season.  Since returning, he's posted a 2.79 ERA and fanned slightly over a batter an inning, but he also has a high WHIP for a short reliever at 1.40.

This could be a last chance for the Pirates to see whether they want to retain either player, as both will be eligible for minor league free agency after the season.  Ngoepe in particular should get a serious look, as he's a plus defender at short and his bat can't be any worse than the zero-offense veterans the Pirates have employed as infield depth since . . . well, since almost forever.

Back at Altoona, the Pirates' top prospect, Tyler Glasnow, is listed as the starter for the Curve's game tonight.  This follows two rehab starts for Morgantown in the New York-Penn League.