Sorry about the slight delay. This is the first of two columns previewing next month's September callups. I'll focus on the AL today, with the NL to follow on Monday.
Baltimore - The Orioles figure to give Radhames Liz another look in September and recall Brian Burres, but Hayden Penn is a question mark and top prospects Chris Tillman and David Hernandez will likely have to wait until 2009. One somewhat less intriguing arm who might be tried is 22-year-old Brad Bergesen, who is 15-3 with a 3.00 ERA, 127 H and 65/23 K/BB at Double-A Bowie. He doesn't project as a long-term starter, but his sinker could give him some initial success. ... Penn's status is up in the air because of a sore shoulder. He might recover in time to join the rotation next month, but he'd be a poor bet for fantasy purposes. ... The Orioles haven't given any indication about whether No. 1 prospect Matt Wieters will be called up. It might hinge on an Aubrey Huff trade. My guess is that he'll have to wait until May or June 2009 before he gets his chance. ... Nolan Reimold could have joined the outfield when Adam Jones got hurt, but the Orioles picked Luis Montanez instead. Reimold is hitting .289/.372/.491 in Double-A at the moment. He turns 25 in October, so there's a pretty good case for giving him an opportunity now. Odds are that he'd struggle to hit for average, but he has major league power.
Boston - Boston will likely add eight to 10 players in September, but the most intriguing possibility may not get a look. Top pitching prospect Michael Bowden isn't likely to be used as a reliever, and there's even less chance of him getting to join the rotation after Boston's addition of Paul Byrd. Bowden, who turns 22 next month, is 9-6 with a 2.59 ERA, 103 H and 121/28 K/BB in 132 IP between Double- and Triple-A this year. He's a potential No. 2 or No. 3 starter, but he probably won't contribute until the middle of next year. ... Other likely callups are catcher Dusty Brown, outfielder Jonathan Van Every and pitchers Chris Smith, Hunter Jones and Eric Hull. ... 2006 first-round pick Daniel Bard has the numbers to qualify for a callup, with a 2.28 ERA and a .184 average against in 43 1/3 innings in Double-A, but he probably doesn't throw enough strikes to help out right now.
Chicago - Still looking to replace Jose Contreras, the White Sox have had both Lance Broadway and Clayton Richard up recently, but haven't commited to either. They also have Jack Egbert, Wes Whisler and Carlos Torres to consider. Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger and 2007 first-round pick Aaron Poreda look like long shots. None of the guys are particularly strong options, and the White Sox still should be looking to add a veteran. Outside of Poreda, Egbert has the most upside of the group. He has a 3.19 ERA and a 51/11 K/BB ratio in 53 2/3 innings for Triple-A Charlotte since the beginning of July, so he would be something of a sleeper if he gets the call. ... Josh Fields and Jerry Owens figure to be brought back to the majors next month, but they've been left out of the White Sox's plans this year after having extensive roles in 2007 and that doesn't figure to change in September. The White Sox aren't sure how Fields fits after moving him to left field and then back to third base. He has very good power and he likes to swipe a base every once in a while, but it looks like he needs a trade. Owens, who could have opened the season as Chicago's starting center fielder, with Carlos Quentin being sent down, had he not gotten hurt, has hit a disappointing .275/.346/.316 and been caught on 12 of his 36 steal attempts in Triple-A this season.
Cleveland - Left-hander David Huff would be the particularly tempting Indians callup if he's added to the rotation. That he has just 24 starts above A ball, along with the fact that he's not on the 40-man roster, could hurt his chances. However, he does turn 24 this week and he doesn't lack for polish. A southpaw with very good command and third-starter ability, he'd be worth an immediate pickup in AL-only leagues if brought to Cleveland. ... The Indians returned Jon Meloan to the pen after acquiring him from the Dodgers in the Casey Blake trade and will probably give him an opportunity next month. He is one candidate to be the team's long-term closer. However, he's not going to be a very good bet to receive save chances next month and it's quite likely that Cleveland will sign a veteran closer over the winter. ... Andy Marte has certainly left the door open, but the Indians don't figure to turn third base over to Wes Hodges in September unless Hodges can break out of a slump and get hot in a hurry in Double-A. It'd be an obvious case of rushing a prospect to go to him now. ... 2005 first-round pick Trevor Crowe is hitting .302/.389/.481 in 285 at-bats, about two-thirds of them coming in Double-A and the rest in Triple-A. It's a line that should be good for an opportunity, but there might not be room for him if both Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez come back. ... Matt LaPorta's struggles since joining the Cleveland system have carried over into Olympic play. He figures to have to wait until next year for his shot.
Detroit - Odds are that we'll see Dontrelle Willis back in the Detroit rotation at some point during September. He moved up to Triple-A Toledo this week and allowed two runs in six innings in his first start. The reports on his stuff aren't great, but since his command has come back somewhat, he could be an adequate fourth of fifth starter. Nothing more should be expected. ... The rest of the intriguing possibilities are all hitters, most of whom have already served stints in the majors this year. It'd be nice to see Jeff Larish get a look at DH and Michael Hollimon take over at shortstop if the Tigers fall out of contention. The team needs to find out whether the two older prospects should have any role in their plans for 2009. Larish, 25, would be a cheap platoon DH against right-handers, and the 26-year-old Hollimon should be a quality bench player at worst. Also set to return are outfielders Clete Thomas and Brent Clevlen, but they figure to have minor roles. Mike Hessman, who had 32 homers for Toledo before joining the Olympic team, is another possibility for a bench spot,
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Kansas City - Ryan Shealy's .279/.369/.490 line in Triple-A isn't so bad, but if the Royals were going to take another look at him, it would have happened by now. Instead, they'll probably try Kila Ka'aihue as a part-time first baseman and DH next month. Ka'aihue has been a fringe prospect for years, but he's taken his game up several notches the last few months and is currently hitting .318/.461/.642 on the season. He's actually improved his OPS in 19 games since his promotion from Double- to Triple-A. The 24-year-old still doesn't project as a long-term regular, but it will be worth seeing what he can do. He should have some value in AL-only leagues next month. ... Ka'aihue is the only hitter that would seem to be an option in fantasy leagues. The most notable pitcher in line for a callup is Carlos Rosa, who made a couple of relief appearances in the majors earlier this season. He's 4-3 with a 4.09 ERA, 51 H and 44/12 K/BB in 50 2/3 innings as a starter in Triple-A. Rosa has a chance to make it as a long-term starter, but he wouldn't be worth grabbing right away if added to Kansas City's rotation.
Los Angeles - The Angels won't need much help at all in September, but they figure to bring back Brandon Wood and Matt Brown to join Sean Rodriguez and Kendry Morales as reserves. Wood has cut back some on the strikeouts in Triple-A and is up to 28 homers. Still, the team hasn't turned to him at shortstop with Maicer Izturis out and Brown, who is currently playing for the U.S. Olympic team, would likely be the better stopgap at third if one is needed. ... Pitchers set to be recalled include Jason Bulger and Darren O'Day. Also, Olympian Kevin Jepsen figures to make his major league debut. All three will be in the bullpen.
Minnesota - The Twins still have a fair amount of pitching available in the form of Kevin Mulvey, Brian Duensing, Bobby Korecky and, less likely, Anthony Swarzak. Duensing might be the most useful of the group next month. He's gone 5-11 with a 4.32 ERA as a starter at Triple-A Rochester, but he's really impressed as a reliever for Team USA and could be a key part of Minnesota's pen in September. Mulvey would likely be the choice if a starter is needed. He's 7-8 with a 3.56 ERA. ... There isn't as much to choose from as far as bats. Bobby Kielty has struggled since signing a minor league contract, hitting .220, but he still figures to be brought up to see some time against lefties. Jason Pridie can serve as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner. Alejandro Machado can also be of limited use off the bench, and Jose Morales figures to serve as a third catcher. No member of the bunch should have any fantasy value at all.
New York - The Yankees have already cycled through many of their young relievers and given limited opportunities to Brett Gardner and Justin Christian in the outfield, so there won't be many new faces around in September. One we could see is Mark Melancon, who might someday take over the closer's role from Mariano Rivera. Melancon, though, doesn't figure to be a big-time fantasy reliever anytime soon. At best, he might be a $4-$6 setup man next year. Another is Alfredo Aceves. The most pleasant surprise in the Yankees system this year, Aceves has a 2.74 ERA and a 106/25 K/BB ratio in 134 2/3 innings at three levels. However, he is at 4.78 in 37 2/3 innings since moving up to Triple-A. He probably doesn't have the stuff to stick in the rotation for the long-term, but he would be a candidate for short-term success. ... Melky Cabrera figures to return on Sept. 1 and could be reinstalled as the regular center fielder, depending on how Gardner is performaning. Also, Shelley Duncan is back healthy now and will probably be returned to a role as a first baseman and DH against left-handers. ... Austin Jackson will likely have to wait until 2009, but it's not a lock. If the Yankees find themselves out of it, maybe they will try him in center field to see if he should be considered for a starting job right away next year.
Oakland - The A's have already gone to Gio Gonzalez, Eric Patterson and Cliff Pennington, and Dan Meyer and Gregorio Petit have served recent stints in the majors as well. There's no one else the A's will be in any hurry to move into their rotation, though Vin Mazzaro, James Simmons and Trevor Cahill may not be all that far away. Dana Eveland will probably get another shot before any of the younger pitchers, though. ... Experience is also likely to aid the cases of Travis Buck and Matt Murton when it comes to receiving callups and at-bats in the outfield. Aaron Cunningham has exceled since moving up to Triple-A, but he's not yet on the 40-man roster, and the A's have to figure out how Buck and Murton should fit into their 2009 plans. Buck has been sidelined in Triple-A with an inner-ear infection, but he's recovered now. He might be a better bet than Murton to have value in AL-only leagues. ... Whether Pennington steps up at all could determine how much of a shot Petit get after he's brought back in September. The A's would have nothing to lose by giving either playing time over Jack Hannahan at third base, but judging from the minor league numbers of Pennington and Petit, they wouldn't have much to gain either.
Seattle- The Mariners will surely add Brandon Morrow to their rotation next month, but with Ryan Feierabend already up, they shouldn't have a host of other pitching callups. Feierabend, who would have been tried months ago if not for an elbow injury slowing his progress, gave up six runs in three innings against the Twins in his season debut this week. He's still somewhat interesting, but he's a wait-and-see guy in AL-only leagues. ... On offense, there's Victor Diaz, who has hit 24 homers and driven in 95 runs in 429 at-bats since joining Tacoma. However, there's no good reason to give him any of the at-bats currently going to Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement. He only figures to have fantasy value if someone gets hurt. ... Rob Johnson may have a future as a long-term No. 2 catcher and he's ready for his first look at age 25, but it will be hard to find at-bats for him unless the Mariners are ready to give up on Kenji Johjima. ... Neither Matt Tuisosopo not Oswaldo Navarro has done enough this year to justify a callup, but one might get a look with Willie Bloomquist down. It's more likely that the Mariners will simply stick with Tug Hulett as their sixth infielder.
Tampa Bay - It appears that David Price will make his major league debut in September, but unless a starter gets hurt, he's more likely to pitch in relief than out of the rotation. If that's the case, fantasy value probably wouldn't come until 2009. Even if Price is in the rotation, he wouldn't be guaranteed to contribute immediately. He'd be worth playing right away in AL-only leagues, but probably not in mixed leagues. ... Wade Davis is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA in six starts since moving up to Triple-A, but he's behind Price in the packing order right now. Don't expect anything until 2009. ... Jeff Niemann figures to be tried as a reliever. It's likely to be his long-term role if he stays with the Rays next year. ... Jonny Gomes figures to return as a bench player, and outfielder Fernando Perez, infielder Elliot Johnson and catcher John Jaso could all make their major league debuts. Still, playing time will be hard to come by. The one player who could have significant value is first baseman Dan Johnson. However, designated hitter Cliff Floyd would likely have to get hurt for that to happen. Johnson has hit .308/.417/.553 with 22 homers in 351 at-bats for Triple-A Durham this season. ... Reid Brignac is likely to be denied a callup after going down with a broken wrist earlier this month.
Texas - 28-year-old Nelson Cruz has flopped before, but he might be the best bet for fantasy purposes of any potential September callup. First, though, he has to overcome a strained quad suffered at the beginning of this month. If not for that injury, he likely would have been the choice to replace David Murphy on the Rangers' roster. Cruz has hit 37 homers in 366 at-bats in Triple-A this year. There's no guarantee that he's turned the corner, but he'd almost have to put up fine power numbers while hitting in the Texas lineup. ... Light-hitting Joaquin Arias is already up to get a look as the Rangers' second baseman with Ian Kinsler sidelined. He might be a regular for the rest of the year, but he'll likely have minimal value in AL-only leagues anyway. He has limited power, and he's a poor basestealer. ... Catchers Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez might as well be brought back to the majors, but neither figures to see much action behind Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. ... The Rangers have already tried all of their interesting Triple-A pitchers, and they're not going to rush Neftali Feliz from Double-A. Brandon McCarthy, who has been on the DL all year, will function as a September callup and try to give the rotation a boost. However, he's a long shot to amass value in AL-only leagues.
Toronto - The Blue Jays have pushed Travis Snider, Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero up to Triple-A within the last few weeks, but GM J.P. Ricciardi has indicated that neither Snider nor Cecil will be called up. Although Snider hardly seemed ready while striking out 116 times in 98 games in Double-A, he's hit .343/.410/.514 in 10 games since being moved up. Perhaps there's a slight chance Ricciardi will change his mind if he can keep it up. That he's not yet on the 40-man roster hurts his chances. ... Romero is 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA since his promotion. The 2005 first-rounder will be an option at the back of the rotation if anything opens up. Still, it's likely that he'd struggle. ... Kevin Melillo, who was picked up from the A's in June, should be called up to see time at second base with Aaron Hill done for the year. The Jays seem happy enough with their current stopgaps that Melillo probably won't be asked to play regularly. However, it may take only one more injury to give him a little fantasy value. ... Robinzon Diaz has missed much of the year, hurting his chances of taking over as one of the Jays' two catchers next season. Still, he is in line for a callup and he could replace Gregg Zaun as the backup to Rod Barajas. A very weak hitter, he's unlikely to have any fantasy value at all.
