September Call Ups: An IndieFlea Prediction

As you may or may not know, September 1 is when the 25-Man Roster can expand in MLB. This allows teams to bring up guys from the minor leagues that may or may not provide a beneficial service to their respective teams, whether giving starters an extra day off, or just acting as bench fodder. Teams can decide to bring up anybody on their 40-man roster, whether it’s only one, or all of them.

The following is my prediction for the status of the non 25-man roster players come September 1. Who we’re bringing up and why, who we’re keeping in the minors, and who might be in danger of losing a job. Note these predictions aren’t affected by potential minor league playoffs (because I don’t know when those start/finish)

##Called Up to the Majors Hanser Alberto - IF – probably the easiest of the picks. Gives infield depth, especially on defense. I could easily see Alberto subbing in for Beltre during the 7th inning or later if we’re up by a good amount in the game.

Brett Nicholas – C - unless we pluck Bobby Wilson from the Rays again, Nicholas is going to come up to be the third catcher. He might get a start or two, but he’s really gonna come up and catach in emergency or as a late game sub.

Nick Martinez – P – used for relief and emergency spot starts. He’s probably not much better than that role.

Jose Leclerc – RP – he did okay his first time up. We could use another righty in the pen if a game goes to extras or we’re losing bad enough.

##Activated from the 60-Day DL and put on the 40-Man

Colby Lewis – SP – I don’t need any explanation for this one. It’s a no-brainer.

Tanner Scheppers – RP – Gonna get hate for this, but the guy needs work. I don’t propose using him in any winning or close game. There may be a time in the next month to see what he has left.

##Staying in the Minors Yohander Menez – SP – he’s not ready yet. Maybe next year, though.

Connner Sadzeck – SP – same thing as Yohander.

##I don’t know which way

Joey Gallo – IF/OF – I’m worried about him not getting enough playing time. He might get the most in LF, but it might not be enough for a guy who needs to works his way out of striking out every PA.

Chi-Chi Gonzalez – P - he’s still young, so he’s got that going for him. I just don’t see him contributing in a positive way in any relief role this year.

Andrew Faulkner – RP – I don’t know, he wasn’t that good earlier this year, but we might need an extra lefty in the bullpen if Alvarez continues to struggle.

##In Danger of being DFAd

Note – I included this category because we’re going to need a 40-man spot for Colby Lewis and potentially Tanner Scheppers too. If the following people don’t get DFA’d I assume they’d stay in the minors post September 1

Jared Hoying – OF - too many OF in the majors right now to bring him up. He doesn’t really fit into our long-term plan. He’s also not that good.

Michael Roth – SP – definitely does not fit into our long-term plans. Was only starter fodder when we brought him up the first time.

Luke Jackson – RP – he’s been given too many opportunities to flourish in the majors. He hasn’t done well. FO might give him a break because he’s still pretty young, but I feel like his performance should put him on the chopping block if we need the roster spot.

##Other

The only two players left of note are Shin Soo Choo and Lucas Harrell, on the 15-Day DL. I don’t know the Rangers’ plans regarding Harrell because I don’t know the extent of his injury. We could put him on the 60-Day DL to clear a 40-Man space, or we can DFA him if his injury isn’t serious. Or we can activate him and put him in the pen. I really don’t know.

For Shin Soo Choo, I’m more unsure. I don’t know if we can subsequently move Choo to the 60-Day DL without him losing eligibility in the post-season, so I’m going under the assumption he stays on the 40-man.

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So, I’d like to hear what you guys think who we’re calling up, and who we’re letting go. I await your praises/complaints.