Which September call-ups made the biggest impression?
Tommy Rancel
ESPN PLUS
Unlike in years past, in 2018, the September call-up has been more about role players than impact stars. There was plenty of potential with
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and
Eloy Jimenez, but those teams opted to play conservative when it came to service-time accrual. Alas, there is no
Corey Seager type carrying his veteran team to the playoffs and yours to the finish line.
Instead, we have a mix of starting pitchers trying to be relievers for contenders or positioning themselves for a rotation spot on teams well out of it. We have a pair of promising backstops -- for different reasons -- and a few outfielders who could be big-time players in 2018. Some of the names below can help in a pinch right now, but most will have more opportunity to offer assistance next season.
In no particular order, here we go...
<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>Kyle Wright, P Atlanta BravesThe fifth overall pick in 2017, Wright was called up to the big leagues after a strong season across two levels. He struck out 28 batters in 28 2/3 innings after being promoted to Triple-A, but he has struggled as a reliever at the highest level. Typically in control, he has walked six batters in five innings. You can keep him off the radar for the rest of 2018, but he will be a starter once again in 2019 and do so at the big league level.
Touki Toussaint, P Atlanta BravesToussaint has started two of his three appearances since being recalled, but like Wright, he has lost sight of the strike zone. He walked five batters in less than five innings in his last start. In his lone relief appearance, he faced nine batters, walking four, while collecting just three outs. It is a tough situation for young starters to switch roles late in the year. Toussaint will be in the running for a rotation spot sometime next season.
Nick Ciuffo, C Tampa Bay RaysThe former first-round pick was a surprise call-up after fellow catcher Adam Moore had passport issues early in the month. Ciuffo started the season on a 50-game suspension but ends it in the running to be the Rays' primary catcher. He is an above-average defender with decent pop from the left side. The Rays will likely let him go to battle with Michael Perez next spring, with the winner taking the lion's share of time behind the plate.
Alex Verdugo, OF Los Angeles DodgersVerdugo was called to Los Angeles for a third time this season. He has appeared in 13 games but only collected 24 plate appearances. The main outfielders for the Dodgers are all under contract next season, meaning something is going to have to change for him to get significant work next season. That could mean the Dodgers moving a veteran or moving Verdugo for a bigger piece of the puzzle.
Victor Robles, OF Washington NationalsAfter missing most of the first half of the season due to injury, Robles is back in Washington, where he is receiving a fair amount of playing time down the stretch. With the potential departure of Bryce Harper, the Nationals could be counting heavily on Robles and Juan Soto next season. Robles is a good hitter, with a feel for the strike zone and top-shelf speed. One of the top-10 prospects in baseball, he should play even more over the next 10 days and further position himself for a full-time gig in 2019.
Erick Fedde, P Washington NationalsFedde missed some time this summer with shoulder stiffness. He is back now and starting games for the Nationals, and will go into 2019 competing for a permanent spot. He has 22 strikeouts in 15 innings this month, while limiting opposing batters to a .154 average. Leading with a mid-90s sinker, he has posted a 63 percent groundball rate. The sinker along with cutter, slider and offspeed give him a well-rounded mix. He is a talented arm with an opportunity to carve a place on a team in transition.
Francisco Mejia, C San Diego PadresIn his first start, Mejia blasted two home runs. He added a grand slam earlier this week. Playing as part of a time share with Austin Hedges, Mejia will receive a handful more starts for the rest of the year before pushing the incumbent in the spring. Mejia is a top-of-the-order type of hitter who will carry catcher eligibility. He is definitely one you want to remember going into 2019 and could help in a pinch if you're desperate right now.
Justus Sheffield, P New York YankeesSheffield was a late call-up as his Triple-A club advanced in the playoffs. A candidate for a rotation spot next season, he will spend the next few weeks as a reliever with the Yankees, a role they have been preparing him for in the minors. As a starter, he works in the 92-95 area, but as a reliever, I would expect him to stay on the higher side with potentially more as he empties the tank. He does not have much value right now, but I expect him to be a key figure for 2019.
Sandy Alcantara, P Miami MarlinsSpeaking of key figures for 2019, Alcantara might be the Marlins' best starter heading into next season. Armed with an elite fastball, he posted back-to-back seven-inning gems to start the month before losing control his last time out. With a big fastball and long levers, that will happen from time to time. The Marlins may not be very competitive next year, but Alcantara is in a great spot as far as talent and opportunity. Miami closes out with the Reds, Nationals and Mets. He is a streaming option if you need one.
Willie Calhoun, OF/DH Texas RangersCalhoun is finally getting some run with the Rangers. He belted a home run on Sunday and will need to continue to show power if he is going to hit himself into the lineup come 2019. He is limited to left field or designated hitter, with little speed. The good news is, for fantasy purposes, the defense does not matter, and the speed can be made up elsewhere. It only works if he hits around .280 and approaches 30 home runs. He topped those numbers in 2017, but only the average followed into 2018. The power is the key to relevance.<strike></strike>
<strike></strike>Instead, we have a mix of starting pitchers trying to be relievers for contenders or positioning themselves for a rotation spot on teams well out of it. We have a pair of promising backstops -- for different reasons -- and a few outfielders who could be big-time players in 2018. Some of the names below can help in a pinch right now, but most will have more opportunity to offer assistance next season.
In no particular order, here we go...
<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>Kyle Wright, P Atlanta BravesThe fifth overall pick in 2017, Wright was called up to the big leagues after a strong season across two levels. He struck out 28 batters in 28 2/3 innings after being promoted to Triple-A, but he has struggled as a reliever at the highest level. Typically in control, he has walked six batters in five innings. You can keep him off the radar for the rest of 2018, but he will be a starter once again in 2019 and do so at the big league level.
Touki Toussaint, P Atlanta BravesToussaint has started two of his three appearances since being recalled, but like Wright, he has lost sight of the strike zone. He walked five batters in less than five innings in his last start. In his lone relief appearance, he faced nine batters, walking four, while collecting just three outs. It is a tough situation for young starters to switch roles late in the year. Toussaint will be in the running for a rotation spot sometime next season.
Nick Ciuffo, C Tampa Bay RaysThe former first-round pick was a surprise call-up after fellow catcher Adam Moore had passport issues early in the month. Ciuffo started the season on a 50-game suspension but ends it in the running to be the Rays' primary catcher. He is an above-average defender with decent pop from the left side. The Rays will likely let him go to battle with Michael Perez next spring, with the winner taking the lion's share of time behind the plate.
Alex Verdugo, OF Los Angeles DodgersVerdugo was called to Los Angeles for a third time this season. He has appeared in 13 games but only collected 24 plate appearances. The main outfielders for the Dodgers are all under contract next season, meaning something is going to have to change for him to get significant work next season. That could mean the Dodgers moving a veteran or moving Verdugo for a bigger piece of the puzzle.
Victor Robles, OF Washington NationalsAfter missing most of the first half of the season due to injury, Robles is back in Washington, where he is receiving a fair amount of playing time down the stretch. With the potential departure of Bryce Harper, the Nationals could be counting heavily on Robles and Juan Soto next season. Robles is a good hitter, with a feel for the strike zone and top-shelf speed. One of the top-10 prospects in baseball, he should play even more over the next 10 days and further position himself for a full-time gig in 2019.
Erick Fedde, P Washington NationalsFedde missed some time this summer with shoulder stiffness. He is back now and starting games for the Nationals, and will go into 2019 competing for a permanent spot. He has 22 strikeouts in 15 innings this month, while limiting opposing batters to a .154 average. Leading with a mid-90s sinker, he has posted a 63 percent groundball rate. The sinker along with cutter, slider and offspeed give him a well-rounded mix. He is a talented arm with an opportunity to carve a place on a team in transition.
Francisco Mejia, C San Diego PadresIn his first start, Mejia blasted two home runs. He added a grand slam earlier this week. Playing as part of a time share with Austin Hedges, Mejia will receive a handful more starts for the rest of the year before pushing the incumbent in the spring. Mejia is a top-of-the-order type of hitter who will carry catcher eligibility. He is definitely one you want to remember going into 2019 and could help in a pinch if you're desperate right now.
Justus Sheffield, P New York YankeesSheffield was a late call-up as his Triple-A club advanced in the playoffs. A candidate for a rotation spot next season, he will spend the next few weeks as a reliever with the Yankees, a role they have been preparing him for in the minors. As a starter, he works in the 92-95 area, but as a reliever, I would expect him to stay on the higher side with potentially more as he empties the tank. He does not have much value right now, but I expect him to be a key figure for 2019.
Sandy Alcantara, P Miami MarlinsSpeaking of key figures for 2019, Alcantara might be the Marlins' best starter heading into next season. Armed with an elite fastball, he posted back-to-back seven-inning gems to start the month before losing control his last time out. With a big fastball and long levers, that will happen from time to time. The Marlins may not be very competitive next year, but Alcantara is in a great spot as far as talent and opportunity. Miami closes out with the Reds, Nationals and Mets. He is a streaming option if you need one.
Willie Calhoun, OF/DH Texas RangersCalhoun is finally getting some run with the Rangers. He belted a home run on Sunday and will need to continue to show power if he is going to hit himself into the lineup come 2019. He is limited to left field or designated hitter, with little speed. The good news is, for fantasy purposes, the defense does not matter, and the speed can be made up elsewhere. It only works if he hits around .280 and approaches 30 home runs. He topped those numbers in 2017, but only the average followed into 2018. The power is the key to relevance.<strike></strike>
