September is here and that means roster expansions. In many deep fantasy leagues, September means a chance to find some new players to help your roster. From prospects, to MLB Veterans, to guys that aren’t quite either; September brings all kinds of players to help your team. The MLBDirt staff is taking a look at our top 5 potential september call ups who could help your fantasy teams down the final stretch of the season and into the fantasy playoffs.
David Kerr:
- Wil Myers: I actually hesitated to even add Wil Myers to this list with the recent news that he’d be on the AAA team until their playoffs were over. Ultimately, I do think that the Royals will add Myers to their roster and he could provide pop and run production for the final few weeks. It is a shame that he hasn’t been up since early August, but he’ll definitely start 2013 with the big league club and should be monitored in all drafts next spring.
- Jurickson Profar: The Rangers will more than likely promote Jurickson Profar in the next weeks or so. I don’t think he’ll have much value in 12 team leagues, but anything deeper than that he could help you. He plays SS and at this point in the season there isn’t much out there to pick up on the wire. He has a nice blend of power and speed, but keep in mind he hasn’t played above Double A. For a one month flyer though, he’ll definitely be worth a shot.
- Trevor Bauer: Trevor Bauer’s first cup of coffee in the Majors didn’t go so well, but I think he’ll get a few starts for Arizona down the stretch. If you’re streaming pitchers, he is someone to consider for the strikeouts alone. At this point in the season the ERA and WHIP don’t move too much, so his K upside would be worth the risk.
- Tony Campana: Behind in steals? In a deeper league? Snag Tony Campana. He’s headed to the North Side and if he even gets semi-regular playing time, he could steal 10 bags in the month of September. With that said, I would temper expectations to that actually happening, but he’s certainly valuable for his speed alone.
- John Lannan: The Nationals say that Stephen Strasburg has 2-3 starts left this year. If that’s actually true (I believe it is), then John Lannan will fill his spot. Lannan has been a fairly mediocre pitcher in the Majors, but he’ll be useful down the stretch in NL-Only leagues. He could chip in a few Wins and help with ERA in the right matchups.
Michael Schwartze:
- Jurickson Profar: It was announced late last night that the Rangers would be bringing up Profar. The top position prospect in all of baseball, could hit right out of the gate and should provide steals for fantasy owners. It will be interesting to see how Profar figures into the Rangers plans for the remainder of the season but I think that they will find ways for him to play.
- Wil Myers: Myers just got beat out for being the top guy on my list but I think he has the ability to produce right away. He has spent nearly all of 2012 at AAA where he has hit .293/.371/.542 with 23 homeruns and a total 36 on the entire year. I think September would be a great opportunity for the Royals to get a little glimpse of what Myers can possibly do at the Major League Level and give him a taste of the bigs to prepare him for a potential starting role out of spring training next year.
- John Lannan: Who said that these call-ups had to be prospects? Have to agree with David here that Lannan has a shot to be a valuable fantasy piece moving forward. If the Nationals stick with their Strasburg plan, then you have to figure that Lannan will take his spot in the rotation. Lannan would be a useful piece in deep leagues and NL-Only leagues like mentioned above.
- Trevor Bauer: Bauer should get another shot with Arizona this year and I think it will go better than his last stint. Bauer could see a few starts as well as some appearances out of the bullpen. He should provide a good amount of strikeouts in which ever role he is pitching out of.
- Darren Ford: This one is a pretty big wild card being that Ford is not on the 40 man roster but I think the Mariners give him a chance here in September. He has plus to maybe even plus plus speed and he plays a great center field. He makes a good amount of contact and if things go right for him in the bigs, he could hit for a decent average while providing stolen bases.
Spencer Schneier:
- Jurickson Profar- he is more of a deep-league value, as barring injury Profar will be a defensive fill-in and occasional bench-bat.
- Wil Myers- dude can hit, current RF in KC can’t. Just a matter of opportunity.
- Shelby Miller- Cardinals could use some pitching, and Miller will provide that. Whether it be as a starter or reliever, he will provide Ks, ERA, and WHIP.
- Jenry Mejia- Went from overrated to a bit of a sleeper. Coming off of TJ surgery, Mejia has spent the entire year in the minors rehabbing. The Mets intend to give him some starts in September.
- Darin Ruf- just kidding.
Dave England:
Shelby Miller- Has full year at AAA and been dealing lately after rough start. Can help Cards out of pen
Dylan Bundy- Can add extra solid arm out of an already very good Orioles pen and help rest vet pen arms down stretch as they continue to shoulder load of bad Oriole starters
Trevor Bauer & Tyler Skaggs [Already up] combo. Bauer helps in pen and Skaggs will be clear upgrade over just traded Joe Saunders
Jurickson Profar- won’t play a ton but should/ could help rest Andrus and Kinsler down the stretch by spelling them a game each a week.
Billy Hamilton is also one; speed and bat off the bench down the stretch.
