Former Pioneer Hembree promoted to the Giants

PHOENIX - For the first time, Heath Hembree's high-octane fastball is expected to be on display in the major leagues. But he's not relying solely on heat.

"He's using his off-speed pitches a lot more," said first baseman/left fielder Brett Pill, who played much of the Triple-A Fresno season with Hembree, the Grizzlies' closer who's expected to be among the call-ups to join the Giants on Tuesday.

There was a time this season that hitters were guessing well on Hembree's fastball, and he turned more to his slider. "He'd drop it in early in the count so guys wouldn't get comfortable," Pill said. "You could tell guys were sitting on the fastball, and he made an adjustment."

Catcher Hector Sanchez said Hembree's confidence has grown in part because of the slider. He also throws a changeup, but infrequently. Sanchez promised Hembree, once he faces big-leaguers, will challenge hitters with mid- to high-90s fastballs.

"He never shows he's nervous," Sanchez said.

Hembree has 31 saves, a Fresno record, and 63 strikeouts and 16 walks in 55 1/3 innings. His ERA is 4.07, thanks to a bad June (7.84), which might have cost him an earlier promotion. Since July 1, his ERA is 2.49.

Information from San Francisco Chronicle and writer "John Shea"