If you follow our Prospect Report annually, you might recall one of the favorite mid-August mantras: September call-ups always seem intriguing, but they are notoriously overrated. It is a function of a few factors:
- A lot of the elite guys arrive just before Aug. 31, if they are going to come up at all.
- Call-ups aren't always slotted with rotation spots or everyday jobs during the roster expansion period.
- September call-ups have little or no major league experience and not all rookies are instant hits.
We still have to keep you on top of the potential September call-ups, though. Most of the more intriguing guys below will arrive before Aug. 31.
But here are our top 10 potential impact Fantasy call-ups here on out:
1. Travis Snider, OF, Blue Jays -- .325 average, 13 homers, 37 RBI, 31 runs, two steals (.421 on-base percentage, .650 slugging percentage) in 163 Triple-A at-bats
When the Blue Jays gave away Alex Rios and his old-market contract, everyone assumed it was to give Snider his return ticket to Toronto. Nope. Instead, journeyman minor league Randy Ruiz got the call and homered in each of his first two games.
Snider, who allegedly is being held back until after Aug. 20 to keep him from being a Super Two, shouldn't take long to arrive in the next week-plus. Super Two is the term for a player who is arbitration eligible after his second full season because of extended service time back in his rookie season.
Snider has hit .435 in August with six homers back in Triple-A, proving he belongs back in the Blue Jays every day lineup. Ruiz won't be holding this 21-year-old talent back.
2. Chris Davis, 1B, Rangers -- .321-6-25-21-0 (.409-.542) in 131 Triple-A at-bats
Davis was sent back to the minors because of a ridiculous 114 strikeouts in 258 at-bats with the Rangers earlier this season. He cut his strikeout rate and raised his walk rate nicely back in the minors and deserves a recall as soon as the Rangers find a spot to fit him in amid the pennant race. At the very least, he will be a September call-up for spot duty.
When he was sent back to the minors, he was going to share time with 2008 first-round pick Justin Smoak, who rose from Double-A and was seemingly headed in the opposite direction of Davis. Smoak has struggled in Triple-A (.220) and clearly won't be the impact Fantasy player down the stretch we already know Davis can be.
3. Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants -- 10-2, 1.97 ERA, .219 batting-average against, 82 strikeouts, 28 walks in 105 1/3 innings between high Class A and Double-A
Baseball America lists Bumgarner as the best pitching prospect in the minor leagues right now, but they knock him for his overuse of the fastball and the lack of developing secondary pitches. It is tough to develop secondary pitches when the high-90s heat gets the job done on its own against weaker competition.
Bumgarner is a 20-year-old lefty who needs a challenge, and the Giants are a contender that could use a better No. 5 starter. Kevin Pucetas, a 25-year-old Triple-A ace (10-3, 3.74, .256, 84, 43 in 138 2/3 innings) likely will get a look first, but Bumgarner is the pitching prospect call-up to really be anxious about.
4. Matt LaPorta, 1B, Indians -- .297-15-57-58-1 (.379-.519) in 320 Triple-A at-bats
The Indians cleared out 1B/OF Ryan Garko, C/1B Victor Martinez and OF Ben Francisco before the trade deadline and still haven't gone back to the key piece from the CC Sabathia deal of a year ago, LaPorta. It isn't because of anything LaPorta has or hasn't done back in the minors.
LaPorta struggled to hit just .190 in his first 42 at-bats, but clearly they need to take a longer look at him for the future down the stretch. LaPorta has been hot in recent days, hitting two homers in his past three games. He should arrive before Sept. 1.
5. Brandon Morrow, SP, Mariners -- (1-2)-5.40-.296-25-14 in 26 2/3 Triple-A innings
Morrow's overall minor league numbers lead you to realize why he is still back in the minors stretching out as a full-time starter. A look at his past two outings tell a different story: three earned runs in 13 innings with 13 strikeouts and just two walks.
The Mariners don't really need a reason to recall Morrow to their rotation, but he is giving them many now anyway. Morrow is eligible at RP and SP in CBSSports.com leagues this season, so he gets a boost in value for his versatility, too.
If you are looking for potential call-up dates, look to his five-day starting schedule going forward: Aug. 13, Aug. 18, Aug. 23, Aug. 28. He could arrive any of those final three.
6. Andrew Miller, SP, Marlins -- (0-2)-6.89-.246-18-14 in 15 2/3 innings between high Class A, Double and Triple-A
Miller's numbers look awful and he is an even bigger question mark because he is on the 7-day DL with an ankle injury. Miller is throwing off a mound again, though, and should be able to get himself ready for a September return.
Miller is as erratic as any of the erratic lefties, especially the young ones, but his talent still is there and he could string some decent starts together down the stretch for the Marlins and Fantasy owners. He will be risky initially, but a patient owner could get some value out of him before season's end.
7. Brandon Wood, 3B, Angels -- .303-20-59-53-1 (.360-.584) in 320 Triple-A at-bats
You have to be sick of seeing this name in this space. We trumpet Wood's potential impact for Fantasy leagues and are always left disappointed.
We are not convinced we won't be again, but his talent and power make him someone to not lose track of. The Angels most certainly will have him on their roster after his Triple-A season ends.
If he can finally get hot in the majors -- perhaps post a stretch like Jeff Baker did in September 2006 (.375-5-21-13-2) -- Wood could earn regular at-bats for the already offensively potent Angels. He can be a clutch Fantasy crunch time addition, especially since he is eligible at shortstop, too.
8. Jason Heyward, OF, Braves -- .333-16-55-60-5 (.411-.591) in 303 at-bats between high Class A and Double-A
The Braves have been taking a look at their top prospect in Double-A recently and they have to be impressed. Even if he is just 20 years old, he has to be more intriguing than Ryan Church, right?
Heyward deserves a September call-up, even if his age suggests he should be a candidate for the instructional league. This is a big-time talent rising quickly. His development this season has to be the reason they cut bait on Jeff Francoeur in that deal with the Mets.
9. Brett Wallace, 3B, Athletics -- .283-13-45-57-0 (.358-.424)
By all scouting reports, Wallace is going to be a big-time hitter. We weren't that impressed in spring training with the Cardinals, though, especially with a body that makes him look like a mini Prince Fielder. Well, technically not mini, but you might get the idea.
The A's key piece in the Matt Holliday trade would be getting rushed along to the majors in his first full pro season, but there isn't much blocking him in Oakland right now -- especially if they are inclined to keep him at third base.
We figure his primary impact will merely come in AL-only leagues in September.
10. Cameron Maybin, OF, Marlins -- .328-3-31-36-7 (.415-.471) in 244 Triple-A at-bats
Maybin has been a bit of a bust thus far. He was supposed to be a future 30-30 candidate in the major leagues. He is hitting on a 10-20 pace back in Triple-A. The good news is he has improved his problematic strikeout-to-walk rate in the minors: 47-34.
The Marlins could use an offensive spark, but we still are not convinced Maybin is it. He is every bit as talented as an Andrew McCutchen, but his results haven't been there on that level yet. He has proven to be more of a Lastings Milledge, minus the off-the-field questions. Long term, it was thought he could be an elite outfielder, but every day that passes suggests he will be more like a Mike Cameron.
The list of potential call-ups doesn't end here, so watch the status of any of the most-owned minor leaguers below and those that block them.
Prospect watch
Every week we break down all the minor leaguers who are owned in at least 1 percent of our Fantasy leagues. This will be your essential guide to unearthing the elite prospects before they hit the big time.
Rookie watch
Top AL rookies to date
1. Gordon Beckham, 3B, CHW -- He is hitting over .300 with 40 RBI in just over 1/3 of a full season, holding off double-digit win starters.2. Jeff Niemann, SP, TB -- The Rays aren't quite as good as last season, but he is not the reason. He has outpitched his elite left-handed teammate.
3. Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK -- His numbers make him a solid start in all mixed leagues every week, unlike the sinking 10-win starters below.
4. Ricky Romero, SP, TOR -- It will be real interesting to see which AL rookie starter finishes with the most wins. He has won 10 of 18 starts. Wow.
5. Rick Porcello, SP, DET -- The contender he pitches for makes him intriguing, but his innings total this season is a bit scary for the stretch run. Honorable mentions: Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL; Elvis Andrus, SS, TEX; Brett Anderson, SP, OAK; Matt Wieters, C, BAL; Brad Bergesen, SP, BAL; Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX; David Hernandez, SP, BAL; Alfredo Aceves, RP, NYY; Tommy Hunter, SP, TEX; David Price, SP, TB; Derek Holland, SP, TEX; Matt Palmer, RP, LAA; Scott Richmond, SP, TOR; Chris Getz, 2B, CHW.
Top NL rookies to date
1. J.A. Happ, SP, PHI -- It will be a real interesting race down the stretch between NL East rookie starting pitchers; Happ leads now, but ...2. Tommy Hanson, SP, ATL -- He has surpassed his career high in innings, but he is so good even a tired arm is good enough to star.
3. Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT -- He has been far better than we expected this early. The Pirates look like geniuses for calling on him when they did.
4. Randy Wells, SP, CHC -- The converted reliever has arguably been the Cubs' best starter; we don't see a long-term talent, though.
5. Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA -- His numbers would play a lot more nicely in the infield, but a serious hot streak makes him a solid option in mixed leagues now. Honorable mentions: Casey McGehee, 3B, MIL; Gerardo Parra, OF, ARI; Garrett Jones, OF, PIT; Bud Norris, SP, HOU; Colby Rasmus, OF, STL; Omir Santos, C, NYM; Will Venable, OF, SD; Dexter Fowler, OF, COL; Jake Fox, C, CHC; Dan L. Meyer, RP, FLA; Mat Latos, SP, SD; Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM; Travis Ishikawa, 1B, SF; Everth Cabrera, SS, SD; and Kenshin Kawakami, SP, ATL.
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