Last year, a few of my predictions for September Call-Ups made it, and have stuck into the 2024 season as mainstays and even everyday players for their respective teams. We’ll go through this in alphabetical order, so it’s easy to navigate! MLB Rosters officially expand on September 1st, with a maximum of 14 Pitchers to each roster.
Arizona Diamondbacks
A very risky pick with the injuries he’s sustained, but #1 Prospect in the DBacks organization in SS Jordan Lawlar could be a possibility. Who I see more likely to be added to the roster is RHP Yilber Diaz, a Starter who already had an introduction to the Majors in early July. He threw 20 innings and had a 1-1 record over four starts. With Ace Zac Gallen having an injury scare just a few days ago, a young backup wouldn’t hurt to have.
Atlanta Braves
Struggling in all 5 Triple-A Starts he’s had since returning from injury, AJ Smith-Shawver is most likely not coming back to the Majors, don’t let his #2 rank status fool you. A little bit lower on the Top 30 Prospects list for the Braves is 23 year old Catching prospect Drake Baldwin who’s currently in Triple-A. He was also Atlanta’s representative in the Future’s Game during the All Star festivities. As a Third round pick in 2022 splitting time at Double-A and now Triple-A, it may be high time to give him the call and see what he can do for the team at the Major League level. 35 year old Travis d’Arnaud’s contract is up at the end of the season, another thing to consider. The Braves could bring him back for another year at $8M as they do have a Club Option, but a Rookie making less that $1M may be more attractive.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have not been shy about bringing up (or sending down) Prospects at any time of the season, so we’ll take a look at who they have available in their pipeline. Technically, Jackson Holliday sits at #1 on the teams’ top 30 prospects, but he’s playing for the big club at 2B, so that position and SS can be crossed off. We’re looking for a DH or Catcher, and that might be #3 overall prospect in C/1B Samuel Basallo. Another Future’s Game representative, but for the AL this time around, Basallo stands at an imposing 6’4, with a strong lefty swing and bazooka of an arm behind the plate. Getting the call from Double-A where he’s spent the season hitting .283/.345/.806 with 15 Homers and 47 RBI, the 20 year old could be much like the Brave’s Drake Baldwin where he’s getting in reps to fight for a spot in 2025 as the 34 year old James McCann backup Catcher becomes a free agent at the seaons end.
Boston Red Sox
This is a pretty obvious one for most fans of prospects. The number 4 overall pick in the 2021 Draft in SS Marcelo Mayer (Highest Red Sox pick in over half a century) is fresh off of an injury down in the 2023 season. Mayer is also fresh off a promotion from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester Red Sox with other rising prospects in OF Roman Anthony and C Kyle Teel. Known as “Big 3”, they all did get promoted to Triple-A at the same time, but Mayer is who the Sox need at the Majors. If the team wants to give a once promising prospect a chance, they could recall 1B Bobby Dalbec and not have to worry about the 40-man roster.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have a flock of players who have an ETA of 2025/26, so this may be a chance for someone in that group to make an impression here at the end of the season. The Cubs know that they aren’t in the playoff hunt already, so my guess would be 22 year old OF Kevin Alcantara at #6 overall on their top 30 Prospects list. With the uncertainty of Cody Bellinger for 2025, the Cubs would like to see who the future of their Outfield is. Pete Crow-Armstrong (Who is no longer a Prospect) in his last 100AB has only hit .220 to go along with 3HR and 9RBI, all as a CF; this will simply not cut it for an everyday starter. Kevin also plays CF, and could hopefully bring a little more on the average and power fronts for the Cubs. Alcantara is fast approaching Rule 5 Draft status, where the Cubs could lose him to another team, so this is just more incentive to give him his first taste of the Majors.
Chicago White Sox
The other Chicago team, the one about to lose 100+ games doesn’t have much incentive to bring up a top prospect, and will likely go with someone who’s already on their 40-man roster so they don’t have to make a roster move. On the other hand, what do they have to lose by DFA’ing someone who won’t be with the team next year for an up-and-coming prospect? They’ve already called up Ky Bush, a Pitcher they got in return from the Angels for Lucas Giolito last year. If they go with a 40-man prospect, you can see #18 overall in RHP Nick Nastrini being recalled. Nastrini had a rough start in the Majors back in May when he was used as a Starting Pitcher, going 0-5 in 6 Starts, to the tune of a 8.39 ERA. He was promptly sent back to Triple-A where he hasn’t been much better. The #22 overall pick of the 2021 Draft in Colson Montgomery has finally been leap frogged in the organization as the #1 prospect by LHP Noah Schultz, it may be time for him to show he’s the real deal, or be let go in a trade during the offseason.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds pitching staff is littered with arms that are either on the 60-day IL or just plain done. They should really look no further than their organizations #1 overall prospect in RHP Rhett Lowder, first round pick in the 2023 Draft. With 106K in just over 102IP, Lowder looks ready to join a rotation that is short two men. If they don’t want to make a 40-man roster move, their safest choice would be to go with Yosver Zulueta, a Relief Pitcher who they’ve used over the season. Cam Collier is a bat we won’t see at the Majors until next September, at the earliest.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians are in a tight race with the Twins and Royals, so they may be calling in reinforcements from the Minors in #12 Prospect Daniel Espino, who has already had some Major League experience this year. #29 Prospect in LHP Ryan Webb has made the leap from Double-A to Triple-A this year and has been a Startinug Pitcher at all levels. His Strikeout stuff may have some wondering why he’s ranked so low in the Guardians system. I’d say it’s just as much of a risk as giving Starts to Alex Cobb or Matt Boyd who currently reside in the Cleveland rotation.
Colorado Rockies
With the Rockies sitting in the basement, it could be time to bring up a prospect or two. #3 Prospect in OF Jordan Beck is already at the Majors. #9 Prospect Drew Romo could be called up to back up the Catchers, his switch-hitting aspect is something to watch. He’s played at Triple-A all season and brings a .297 average with 14HR and 60RBI. He’ll never be a .300 hitter with 30HR at the MLB level, but is going to be a decent defensive backstop.
Detroit Tigers
Top 10 Prospect for the Tigers in Dillon Dingler has already made his presence known, and has stayed behind the plate for the big club. With the team’s rotation running on fumes, they could bring back up one of their many arms on the 40-man roster, or go with the #16 prospect RHP Ty Madden who’s slated to hit the Major League roster next year if all goes well. This would help him acclimate to the new competition and lack of a challenge system like he has at Triple-A.
Edit: As of writing, Tigers #5 Prospect INF Jace Jung, and INF Spencer Torkelson have been called up.
Houston Astros
With the Astros sending away some of their top prospects at the trade deadline, it’ll be hard to pin down who may called up. With All Star Kyle Tucker on the 60-day IL, it’ll most likely be an Outfielder, which narrows it down to their #1 Prospect Jacob Melton. Since the team was willing to part 1B/OF Joey Loperfido, but not Melton, it shows that they saw Melton as a piece of their future, and he certainly fits the profile with scouts having him as an above average player overall. They also have developed arms in their #9 Prospect RHP A.J. Blubaugh and #11 Prospect LHP Colton Gordon who could get the call as they try to wrap another AL West title.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals have a possible MVP Shortstop in Bobby Witt Jr., but their weakness is at Catcher/First Base where 9-time All Star and 5-time Gold Glove winner Salvador Perez splits times. His contract ends after next season, unless the Royals pick up his 2026 Option. Third round pick in the 2021 Draft Carter Jensen, a Catcher, has been doing alright down at Double-A since being promoted in mid-July. He’s certainly an option, but not a need. I see him possibly getting a shot as the Royals backup in 29 year old Catcher in Freddy Fermin. 25 year old Lefty Starter in Noah Cameron could get the nod with a good start to August, and be used as a longman out of the bullpen at the Major League level.
Los Angeles Angels
This is a “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” sort of situation. The first round picks from 2022 and 2023 are now everyday starters for the Angels and look good doing it. Shortstop Zach Neto only played 48 Games in the Minors before being called up, First Baseman Nolan Schanuel cut that in half and only played in 22 Games down on the farm for the Angels before becoming an everyday Major Leaguer. The 2024 first round pick for the Angels in 2B Christian Moore only played TWO GAMES in Low-A before being called up to Double-A. As the team’s #2 overall Prospect, hitting .467 and 5HR at Double-A in just 8 Games, it’s not unfathomable to think the Angels will want him in the Majors to take over their slumping 2B Brandon Drury after only 10-15 Games in the Minors. Another Infield option is SS Denzer Guzman who’s only hit 5HR this season in the Minors (A testament to Moore’s power, or luck?) but a consistently good glove who could slide over to Second Base. #1 Prospect RHP Caden Dana has done well in his first year at Double-A, but probably needs another year in the Minors before his call to the Majors, although the Angels’ biggest need is pitching, so Dana AND Moore could both get called up at the same time, maybe?
Edit: As of writing, Angels #30 Prospect 1B Niko Kavadas has been called up.
Los Angeles Dodgers
All Star Catcher Will Smith of the Dodgers has found himself in a bit of a slump, and Austin Barnes in no All Star. The Dodgers have two options as far as the Catching position in the Minors and their 40-man roster. #16 Prospect Diego Cartaya and unranked Prospect Hunter Feduccia. If they want to go big (which the Dodgers usually do), they can go with their #1 overall Prospect in C/OF Dalton Rushing who has just been promoted to Triple-A, with only 8 Games under his belt at that level. A Relief Pitcher is possible, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto is supposed to be coming off of the IL soon.
Miami Marlins
This may be the time to see if the headline prospect that Miami go in return for Trevor Rogers is the real deal. 2B/OF Connor Norby went from juggernaut team in the Orioles to a rebuild team in the Marlins, and he sits as their #4 overall Prospect as of writing. Neither Otto Lopez or Vidal Brujan at the Major League level are exactly raising eyebrows at Second, so giving Norby a shot in September makes all the sense in the world for Miami. A backup option is C/1B Agustin Ramirez, whom they acquired from the Yankees in their blockbuster trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Milwaukee Brewers
This one’s a hard one as the Brewers have embraced using their young talent. Jackson Chourio, Tyler Black, and Robert Gasser all top prospects going into 2024 have made their MLB debut with the team. Gasser is unfortunately injured, Black has bounced back and forth between the Minors and Majors, but Chourio has stuck and performed for the most part. Out of the top 30 prospects left that haven’t made their debut yet, #3 Prospect RHP Jacob Misiorowski could join the team out of the bullpen, as the front office “wants to be careful” with him, and he may have an innings limit. Another possibility could be 22 year old and #10 Prospect RHP Logan Henderson, who also may be on an innings limit this year as he’s pitched across four different levels in the organization, currently at Triple-A.
Minnesota Twins
Zebby Matthews, the Twins #5 overall Prospect was called up before I could write this article, but I think the team will need more than just a guy who plays once every five days to catch the Guardians. You can take your pick of the following; #3 Prospect in OF Emmanuel Rodriguez who has made the leap to Double-A and not skipped a beat, #4 Prospect in 2B/OF Luke Keaschall or even #9 Prospect RHP Andrew Morris out of the bullpen as a longman.
New York Mets
The Mets didn’t make a splash at the deadline, but what they have in house has kept them in the playoff race. As far as help from the farm, two names pop out at me. Obviously their #1 overall Prospect in RHP Brandon Sproat is an option, but it looks like he’s gotten tired over his first full pro season which has spanned High-A to Triple-A. I would lean more towards #3 Prospect OF Drew Gilbert if he’s 100% healthy and ready to take some hacks at the Major League level.
New York Yankees
Most people expect me to put The Martian, Jasson Dominguez, here in this spot. And I see why that’d be the case. He’s got a million 2024 rookie cards, so he should be playing at the Major League level, right? Teams only get 1 Pitcher slot and 1 Position player slot on September 1st, the Yankees have plenty of position players who are hurt, plus the outfield is full with Verdugo/Judge/Soto. I’d be hard pressed to push Verdugo out of Left Field, and Aaron Judge isn’t going anywhere, nor is Juan Soto. The Yankees are, however, in dire need of some Pitching help, so my prediction is that they one of the following, LHP Brock Selvidge, RHP Chase Hampton or RHP Zach Messinger. They are the #7, #6, and #17 Prospects, respectively.
Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are working to be the worst team in the AL West, so bringing up an unproven, and even underwhelming Prospect could be in their best interest at the moment. They have needs at First Base and Center Field. Funny enough, they have #8 Prospect Max Muncy in their system, a Shortstop by trade, who could slide over to Second Base and help fill a gap there as well. Another possibility could be their #6 Prospect RHP Mason Barnett who has recently jumped to Double-A. What better way to tank than bring up a Starting Pitcher who isn’t ready to be in the Majors at all?
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are currently one of the best teams in baseball, and yes, better than the Dodgers. That doesn’t mean they can’t get some help from their Minors, though. Most eyes automatically train on #2 Prospect RHP Andrew Painter, which would be great if he weren’t injured and on track to be back in 2025. So, this leaves us with lesser known names like #6 Prospect RHP Mick Abel, who hasn’t had the greatest year at Triple-A, but consistent as he’s thrown 88 Innings and gotten 88 Strikeouts. This is another issue of a high draft pick (15th overall in 2020) who may have to learn to run before he can walk. He’ll be Rule 5 Draft eligible soon, or may just give up after years of being in the Minors. My prediction is that Abel joins the fightin’ Phil’s in September.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have already called up one of the most exciting Prospects of the year in Starting Pitcher Paul Skenes, and he hasn’t let us down. The team could use some excitement in CF, DH, and their Starting Rotation. They were not letting go of #1 Prospect RHP Bubba Chandler who made the jump to Triple-A just last week and has only made 1 Start there, it’s hard to see the 21 year old joining the Major League club as well just two weeks later. Someone like #5 RHP Thomas Harrington who jumped to Triple-A at the beginning of August and has a low inning count for the season could be of use. #16 Prospect in RHP Mike Burrows is on the 40-man roster, so calling him up would not require any corresponding moves, although he would probably be have a short leash as far as his innings due to a UCL tear last season.
San Diego Padres
In talking with one of my industry friends, the Padres have something in #18 Prospect OF Tirso Ornelas, who is currently sitting at Triple-A. In 98 Games there, he’s hit .308 with a .898 OPS, knocked 17HR from the left side while driving in 70RBI and playing good 1B/DH and all three Outfield positions. The kid brings a ton of utility and should be a staple in the Padres lineup for years to come. On the pitching side of things, the Padres can look at #16 Prospect RHP Alek Jacob who has already made his MLB debut last year and has been used as a bullpen arm this year.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants system is tough to navigate as far as which prospects could be called up in September. They have some arms on the 40-man roster, some with no Major League experience and some without a tiny bit. The same goes for some position players like OF Wade Meckler (#18 Prospect), Marco Luciano (Rookie). If they were to pluck from their pool of prospects, it may be hard throwing relief pitcher and #10 Prospect in LHP Reggie Crawford.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have a lot of under performing prospects, so to pick a name that may get the call that WASN’T Taylor Dollard (who’s injured), I went with #26 overall Prospect in LHP Reid VanScoter. He’s not a household name by any means, and is only in his second professional season, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impression in just a short few weeks at the Majors. If you’re looking at a position player, I’d pick #2 overall Prospect in the Mariners organization, 2B/SS Cole Young. He’s not necessarily tearing the cover off the ball, but he was always picked for his hit tool and above average defense.
St. Louis Cardinals
When you look at the Cardinals top 10 Prospects, you see everyone is at least 20 years old or older. One of these top Prospects is going to have to make the leap sooner or later, and 22 year old Thomas Saggese, the #4 overall Prospect, has spent the entire year at Triple-A hitting just above .250 with 17HR and 55RBI. That’s a better average and more power than Brendan Donovan, one of the two starting Second Baseman on the Cardinals MLB roster. And more power than Nolan Gorman, the other on the team. If Saggese can bring that raw power and at least a .250 average to the Majors, that’s a win for the Cards.
Tampa Bay Rays
While it was an obvious choice for most, the Rays beat me to it and called up top Infield Prospect Junior Caminero while sending down Curtis Mead. So, in pivoting with this move, I am looking at #18 Prospect LHP Ian Seymour who has been a strikeout machine in the Minors. Over Double-A and Triple-A, he’s made 21 Starts, thrown 112 Innings and Struck out 124 Batters this season. What’s most impressive is the 0.90 WHIP, his stuff is nasty and he keeps men off of the bases, with hitters only having an .185 average against him. If the Rays deem they need help in the Rotation or a longman in the bullpen, the 25 year old could get a shot this September.
Texas Rangers
24 year old first round pick Jack Leiter has had a rough go of it so far. The #4 overall Prospect had lofty expectations being from a baseball family, and Vanderbilt product. Making his debut earlier this year, he’s had but a cup of coffee at the Majors. The Rangers could use September to allow him a couple of Starts, because they may need him in their rotation for 2025. Another 2024 debut player and top prospect for the Rangers who could be called up again is #7 overall Prospect INF Justin Foscue.
Toronto Blue Jays
A lot of people would love to see the Jays #4 Prospect LHP Ricky Tiedemann join the big club, but he’s only 21 years old and has jumped across three levels of Minor League teams to get to Triple-A. I’m more inclined to see #3 Prospect RHP Jake Bloss at Triple-A join the Jays after being traded away from the Astros. He did play for the Astros, but only had three Starts. The Jays are fighting to stay out of last place, so it wouldn’t hurt to let the kid get some Starts.
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals could use either of their top two Prospect in Outfielder Dylan Crews or Third Baseman Brady House. They could also use #27 Prospect RHP Jackson Rutledge’s help, who made his MLB Debut earlier this year and is sitting at Triple-A currently. It’s really a toss up of the semi-experienced Prospect, or trial by fire for either Crews or House.
