Ten potential September call ups for the New York Yankees

On September 1, rosters expand from the normal 25-man limit to the entirety of a team’s 40-man roster. A team normally filled with established veterans, the Yankees are now infused with youth and are starting to feel the toll of a 162-game season. The Yankees remained relatively healthy throughout the first-half of the season, but have been bit with the injury bug in the second-half, and the team would certain accept with open arms a few reinforcements to rest regulars and help the team down the stretch. 

Photo Credit: MILB.com

While its extremely unlikely that the Yankee universe will see the likes of Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, and Estevan Florial playing in pinstripes come September, there are plenty of talented players in the farm system that could fit a particular role with the club as they push for a playoff spot.

* indicates the player is not currently on the 40-man roster, so it will be more difficult for them to be a September call up unless space is cleared

Pitchers

Jonathan Holder

A victim of the 2017 Scranton-Shuttle, Holder was a fixture in the Yankees bullpen, before the midseason acquisition of David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle. However, he lost his roster spot, despite his respectable numbers. He has continued to pitch well in Triple-A with a 1.93 ERA and will in all likelihood be called up as soon as the calendar hits the ninth month to be a bullpen reinforcement.

Ben Heller

Acquired in the Andrew Miller trade last year, Heller has had a solid season in Triple-A, including an MILB reliever of the week award. He has allowed less than a baserunner per inning and has struck out 76 hitters in 51.1 innings. Being on the 40-man roster already, Heller like Holder could be an easy call up and provide quality innings down the stretch.

Photo Credit: Zimbio

Domingo German

Pitching as mostly a starter in the Minors, he has been used by the Yankees at times this season as a reliever that could throw multiple innings, after the bullpen became limited due to overused relievers. German could potentially be a spot starter, if the Yankees want to limit Severino’s innings down the stretch or possibly be used similarly as he has already been used by the big league club this season.

Nick Rumblelow*

Nick Rumbleow would be a feel-good story, if he were to be recalled in September. After making his debut for the Yankees in 2015, Rumblelow suffered a torn UCL during his 2016 campaign in Triple-A Scranton and missed all of that season, along with the start of the 2017 season. However, since his return to the Yankees farm system, he has a combined 5-1 record with a 1.29 ERA amongst Trenton and Scranton. While it is unlikely he makes his return to the Majors in his first season back from Tommy John, he has pitched phenomenally and would be a welcomed addition in the Yankees bullpen if he could sustain his success.

Jordan Montgomery

Probably the most obvious candidate to rejoin the big-league club, Jordan Montgomery was originally sent down in early August due to his approaching innings limit. However, due to injuries to the starting staff, Montgomery received the opportunity to continue pitching out of the rotation. He made two starts against Boston, and while he didn’t dominate, he pitched solid in both outings against tough opposing pitchers in Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale. Montgomery will likely not start once he is recalled unless another pitcher’s struggles or injury creates an opening for the rookie southpaw. He will likely be used as a long reliever, spot starter, or possibly as a left-handed specialist once he inevitably returns to the Bronx.

Photo Credit: NY Daily News

Hitters

Mason Williams*

While the Yankees already have an outfield logjam at the Major League level, Mason Williams could be a valuable asset in the month of September. Williams is an athletic player that can play any of the outfield positions solidly. He would likely never receive a starting opportunity in the crowded outfield, but could be used as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner.

Jake Cave*

Cave is another victim of the outfield dilemma, however unlike Williams, Cave has been absolutely tearing it up in Triple-A. Since his call up from Double-A Trenton, Cave is slashing an impressive .312/.356/.567 with 28 XBHs in only 228 at-bats. Cave has always been an above-average player, but 2017 has truly been his breakout year. He may not receive a ton of playing time on the Yankees, but it would be his first Major League experience, and he may be able to surprise some people, after a tremendous 2017.

Miguel Andujar

This season, Andujar has won the hearts of many Yankee fans, especially our own Andrew Natalizo, and for good reason. Andujar had a historic MLB debut where he went 3-4 with four RBIs versus the Chicago White Sox, but was immediately sent back down to Scranton, because Joe Girardi and the rest of the Yankees staff wanted him to receive every day at-bats. While he still won’t likely receive those if he is recalled in September, Andujar has proven he belongs at the highest level of competition and could receive a few spot starts, if Todd Frazier or Chase Headley scuffle down the stretch.

Photo Credit: NY Daily News

Kyle Higashioka

Higashioka had limited action in the Majors this season, when Gary Sanchez missed a portion of the season with his bicep injury. He played an adequate defense, but never recorded his first MLB hit. He has had some injury troubles in the minors this season, and was just recently placed on the disabled list by Triple-A Scranton, however, he is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster other than Romine and Sanchez. His role on the team would likely be minimal, but he would provide Girardi with a possible defensive replacement or give him more lineup flexibility knowing Ronald Torreyes would no longer have to be the third in line to catch if the situation arose.

Ji-Man Choi*

Choi had limited action in the Majors as he was a part of the revolving door of first baseman in July. He hit .267 with a pair of homers in his minimal at-bats, but was ultimately DFA’d in favor of the newly acquired Garrett Cooper. Choi has hit close to a .900 OPS in Scranton, but would be too far behind guys like Headley, Cooper, Austin, and Bird to receive playing time at first base. However, he would be a solid pinch-hit option from the left-hand side. Most of the Yankees’ young power bats are right handed, so Choi could provide a stronger balance on the bench.

Players who are on the DL and could be added in September (possibly beforehand on the 25-man roster): Clint Frazier, Luis Cessa, Garrett Cooper, Greg Bird, Matt Holliday, and Starlin Castro

Players who may be sent down in the coming days due to another player’s DL activation that could be back in September: Tyler Wade, Tyler Austin, Caleb Smith

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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