September Call Ups; National League Edition

Jul 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Kyle Blanks (88) hits an RBI single during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is a strange sport, for 5 months out of its 6 month season, the game is played with rosters of 25 men. Then all of a sudden, one day, for no particular reason, rosters balloon to 40, giving a competitive advantage to contending teams with greater depth, and fewer prospects on their 40 man roster. For rebuilding teams, it offers a chance to look at what the future holds, and lends fans of these ramshackle ball clubs a reason to watch again. So without further ado, heres each team’s most intriguing possible september call up, National League Edition

1. S.F. Giants; OF Kensuke Tanaka

Jul 20, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Kensuke Tanaka (37) hits a single during the eighth inning in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT

Signed out of Japan as a second baseman, he was moved to the outfield after a cup of coffee in the majors back in July. Already 32,he’s not really a prospect, but with San Francisco always in search of offense and currently starting a left fielder with a .566 OPS, he could be a welcome addition. The light hitting Tanaka has been great in AAA this year, hitting .333 with more walks than strikeouts, despite having only launched one home run.

2. San Diego Padres; OF Kyle Blanks

A 22 year old Blanks announced his presence to the baseball world back in 2009 when he leveraged his hulking 6’6 265 pound frame into 10 home runs in just 148 at bats for the Padres. Since then, however, its been a mixed bag of injuries and ineffectiveness as Blanks only managed a .202 average through the next 3 seasons while dealing with arm injuries and demotions. He was in the majors for much of the season but struggled, and now, with Blanks arbitration eligible for the first time after the season and liable to be non-tendered, this September could be his last month to prove himself for the Padres.

3. Colorado Rockies; Tyler Colvin

A former first round pick, a 26 year old Colvin had a breakout season last year, launching 18 home runs to go along with a .290 average and solid play in the outfield. This year, though, has been tough on Colvin as he hit .160 through 27 games in April before being demoted to AAA. Like Blanks, he is arbitration eligible for the first time after this season, and September could be his last month to prove himself.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks; Archie Bradley

Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher Archie Bradley throws a pitch in the 3rd inning of the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

This is a bit of a risky call as Bradley is not on the D’Backs’ 40 man roster, but with the team 6.0 games out of a wild card spot and in need of a good reliever, the top pitching prospect could be a useful addition down the stretch. Bradley has been dominant this season in the minors, posting a ridiculous 1.84 ERA between A+ and AA ball, so he’ll likely be in the majors next year, this month could also serve as an audition for a rotation spot in 2014.5. Los Angelas Dodgers; SS Dee Gordon

The starting shortstop as far back as 2011, the slick fielding Gordon lost his job in 2012 over an almost complete inability to get on base or hit for power. In the minors this season, however, he’s been solid, posting a .293 average and getting on base at a .382 clip while stealing 49 bases. He’ll be called up and could be very useful as a late game defensive replacement and pinch runner for the surging Dodgers.

6. Chicago Cubs; SP Neil Ramirez

The player to be named later in the Matt Garza swap, Ramirez has had a great year in AA, striking out 11.1 batters per nine through 21 starts. With the Giants currently sending out 5 solid starters, there’s no room for him in the rotation, but he could benefit from some major league relief appearances. Already 24 and having never fully dominated in the upper level of the minors, Ramirez could wind up in the bullpen full time in 2014 if he pitches well enough in September.

7. Milwaukee Brewers; SP Johnny Hellweg

Jul 10, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Johnny Hellweg pitches in the 1st inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Hellweg, brought over in last season’s Zach Grienke trade, has pitched well in his first year at AAA, going 11-5 with a 3.16 ERA, despite very uninspiring peripherals – 6.3 K/9 and 5.9 BB/9. The Brewers are devoid of dependable young starters going forward, so they will give every Hellweg every opportunity to prove himself in September. They’re hoping his performance will be better than it was in July, when he got blasted for 13 earned runs in just 10.2 innings in his first Major League appearances.

8. Cincinnati Reds; Billy Hamilton

Still no word from the Reds front office if they will promote the minors’ top speedster, who is not on the 40 man roster, but if they do, it will be exciting to watch. Hamilton made a name for himself last year when he set a minor league record with 155 SBs while getting on base at a .410 clip. He’s struggled this year, hitting .256 with a .309 OBP, but still managed to steal 73 bases while offering outstanding defense in center. Should the Reds finally give him the call, he wouldn’t start but could supply excellent late game defense in center (current CF Shin Soo Choo is really a corner outfielder) and give game changing speed off the bench.

9. St. Louis Cardinals; Tyler Lyons

Its hard to believe that the Cardinals have anyone left in the minors after all the rookies they’ve called up this season, but they actually have enough depth to make some positive additions down the stretch. Lyons, a former 9th round pick, earned himself a call up this year after a breakout season in the minors, but has been in and out of the majors since May. He’s had mixed results as a starter, posting a 4.95 ERA, but he could be stellar out of the bullpen in the final month.

10.Pittsburgh Pirates; SP Jeff Locke

Aug 27, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With the Pirates potentially staring down their first playoff run in over two decades, they’ll have all hands on deck and every useful player possible in the majors for the final month. Ironically, however, the most important september call up will be a player who spent the vast majority of the year dominating for the Pirates. Jeff Locke had a stellar 2.15 ERA at the all star break, but was just demoted after putting up a crooked 7.94 ERA in August. He’ll go down to AA to work out some mental and mechanical issues, but could return to make some meaningful starts down the stretch for the

11. Miami Marlins; SP Brad Hand

30.5 games out of first place, The marlins are most certainly not looking for guys who can help them in a playoff push, but they are as always looking to see which of their young arms and bats have a shot for next season. Former second round pick, Brad Hand, looks to be the headliner of this auditioning crop as he is only 23 and has pitched very well at AAA this year, sporting a 3.63 ERA and 9.1 K/9. Having struggled to a 1-9 record in his previous 13 major league starts between 2011 and 2012, this could be one of Hand’s last chances to prove himself as a starter. He’ll be out of options next spring, and if this september doesn’t prove he can start, the Marlins are more likely to throw him into the bullpen in 2014, then let him pass through waivers.

12. Philadelphia Phillies; C Cameron Rupp

Years past have seen the Phillies try to use expanded rosters to try and enhance their playoff hopes, but now, 20 games back, they’ll try to get a good luck at what they for next season. With Carlos Ruiz old and an impending free agent, the Phillies are in need of a catcher for 2014, and will therefore call up former third round pick Darin Rupp. Rupp, 25, has had a solid year in the minors, putting up a .760 OPS and 14 homers between AA and AAA. He’s solid defensively and if he can prove it with the bat in September, theres an outside chance he could be starting opening day, 2014.

13. New York Mets; CP  Vic Black

Aug 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Vic Black (68) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The St. Louis Cardinals won 13-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Though not technically a Met yet, Black is the player to be named later in the trade that sent John Buck and Marlon Byrd to Pittsburgh. He’ll be in New York shortly, and when he does, the former first round draft pick will be showcasing the 100 MPH fastball that let him strikeout over 12 batters per nine. If he can show even adequate control out of the pen in September, he’ll be a top set up man for the Mets come April.

14. Washington Nationals; OF Corey Brown

A powerful outfielder, Brown, 27, has always shown power in the minors, hitting 30 home runs in his second professional season, 25 last year, and 19 this season.In two previous cups of coffee with the big league club, however, Brown has struggled, hitting .179 with a .564 OPS. With the Nationals all but out of playoff contention, Brown will get a shot to prove himself next month, and possibly secure a job for next year. He better take this opportunity, there aren’t many being offered to 27 year olds still stuck in AAA.

15. Atlanta Braves; C Christian Bethancourt

Having all but clinched the NL East after their latest hot streak, the Braves could conceivably not bring anyone up and still be fine, but they will give promotions nonetheless. Christian Bethancourt is a guy to keep an eye on, he was once ranked as the 91st overall prospect in baseball and has played well in AA this season. The young catcher is on the 40 man roster and is therefore all but guaranteed a call up to the majors, where he will likely get some reps in order to give starting catcher Brian Mcann a little bit of rest going into the playoffs. If he can prove himself in this short time, he could play his way into the Braves 2014 plans as McAnn could leave for free agency at season’s end.