A number of division and wild-card races are coming right down to the wire with 5 weeks left within the Main League Baseball season.
The commerce deadline handed in late July, however groups can quickly make upgrades as rosters are set to broaden from 26 gamers to twenty-eight on Sunday.
With that in thoughts, listed below are three potential September call-up candidates who may influence MLB’s playoff races.
(All statistics and data are by means of Sunday.)
Outfielder Jasson Dominguez | New York Yankees
The Yankees sputtered in June and July, however the Baltimore Orioles could not capitalize on these struggles, organising a nail-biting division race coming into the season’s remaining stretch. New York sits 1.5 video games forward of the Orioles within the American League East, and whereas it has the second-highest OPS amongst groups in August (.802), there is a obtrusive gap within the lineup.
Large disappointment Alex Verdugo, a left fielder, has struggled on the plate. Since July 1, he has a slash line of .202/.274/.298 with two residence runs and 11 RBI. He is posted a dismal 62 wRC+, the ninth lowest amongst certified hitters.
It is virtually sure that Dominguez, New York’s high prospect, might be recalled, and he ought to instantly assume left subject duties instead of Verdugo. Dominguez, who started the season rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure earlier than touchdown on the injured record in June with an indirect pressure, has carried out nicely when wholesome. In 32 video games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the switch-hitting outfielder is slashing .305/.360/.453 with 4 homers, 17 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
“The Martian” proved final season he will be an influence bat on the main league stage as he slashed .258/.303/.677 with 4 residence runs and 7 RBI in simply 31 at-bats. If the 21-year-old can ship an analogous sizzling stretch, the Yankees might draw back from Baltimore earlier than the ultimate week of the season.
Proper-hander Edgardo Henriquez | Los Angeles Dodgers
Though Henriquez is not on Los Angeles’ 40-man roster, the membership may very well be inclined to make room for him earlier than Sept. 1. Other than the truth that the hard-throwing right-hander is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, Henriquez, who missed all of 2023 after present process Tommy John surgical procedure, has been dominant at 4 minor league ranges this season.
Henriquez started the season with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga carrying little expectations, although his breakout season has led to him now being an vital piece within the Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis bullpen. The Venezuela native has an efficient four-pitch combine along with his electrifying fastball, which has topped out at 103 mph, being the most effective pitch in his arsenal. Total, Henriquez has a 2.68 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 79 strikeouts in 47 minor league innings this season. He has held hitters to a .195 batting common.
Los Angeles’ bullpen is among the greatest within the majors, rating fourth in ERA (3.57) and second in WHIP (1.18), however the Dodgers ought to additional bolster the unit. In any case, there’s loads of uncertainty surrounding Los Angeles’ injury-riddled beginning rotation, so having the additional pitching assist may make sure the crew would not blow its three-game lead within the Nationwide League West.
With RHP Joe Kelly struggling (4.85 ERA), it could be greatest for the Dodgers to designate him for task in favor of Henriquez.
First baseman Kyle Manzardo | Cleveland Guardians
The primary-place Guardians have a couple of different intriguing call-up candidates, however none can match the facility that the previous second-round choose Manzardo has. Manzardo, MLB Pipeline’s No. 52 total prospect, made his main league debut in Could, however did not impress, batting .207 with 17 hits and 7 RBI in 87 plate appearances.
There’s threat concerned in recalling Manzardo, significantly as a result of he has had hassle with off-speed pitches and breaking balls. Nonetheless, Manzardo nonetheless has a .928 OPS in 79 video games for Triple-A Columbus, and the Guardians desperately want offensive reinforcements.
Cleveland hasn’t fared nicely in opposition to right-handed pitching this season, posting a .687 OPS, the Tenth-lowest mark within the majors, and the lineup has struggled total in latest weeks. Since Aug. 1, the Guardians have the seventh-worst offense within the majors in wRC+ (91).
The primary-place Guardians would not must depend on Manzardo closely if he have been to be referred to as up. He would probably serve in a platoon DH position with David Fry, who has a .701 OPS in opposition to right-handers. Moreover, Manzardo may fill in at first base to maintain Josh Naylor contemporary. He has a .207 batting common and .680 OPS since the All-Star break.
