The MLB trade deadline has come and passed. Teams can no longer trade with one another to help bolster their roster, but an alternative option remains for teams to improve. That is September call ups in which often times prospects are the ones who get called up.
Due to recent rule changes, the maximum amount of players a teams can carry in September this year is 28. That player must be on the teams 40 man roster. If that player is on the 40 man roster prior to August 31, they would then be play-off eligible.
Prior to the trade deadline, the Brewers added three different players. The first being an impact bat in Eduardo Escobar and the remaining two being pitchers Daniel Norris and Justin Curtiss. The Brewers certainly addressed some needs a this years trade deadline, but there are a few potential September call ups who could help this team as well.
In this article we are going to take a look at three potential candidates who could get called up in September.
1) LHP Aaron Ashby
Ashby’s first nine appearances in the minor leagues this year came as a starter. He then transitioned into the bullpen in preparation for a big league stint. This is a trend that the Brewers have used in the past with good results.
Unfortunately Ashby’s season has been a bit of a mixed bag of results. His major league debut went disastrously and his minor league ERA currently sits at 5.06. However, he is very good at retiring batters via the strikeout for of his 53 innings pitched, 81 batters have struck out against him. The fact he does have a ton of swing and miss in his game may be more valuable then his ERA. This makes him a good candidate to get called up to the Brewers in September, most likely to serve in a bullpen role.
2) LHP Ethan Small
Small was the Brewers first round draft pick in 2019. As an experienced college arm he was expected to progress through the minor leagues quickly, which he has. He began the 2021 minor league season at the Double-A level and was promoted to Triple-A in mid June. Unfortunately he is currently sidelined with a finger injury that has had him shut down for the past two weeks.
Depending upon Small’s progress, the finger injury may be the biggest impeding factor to him making his major league debut this season. On the year Small has a 1.77 ERA in 56 innings pitched. Although limited to just 14 innings, he did not miss a beat upon being promoted to Triple-A. Should he get promoted this September he would have to be added to the 40 man roster.
3) RHP Josh Lindblom
Although not a prospect, Josh Lindblom could be a surprise call up this September. After a rough start to the 2021 season, he was designated for assignment in May and elected to remain in the Brewers organization. He has been pitching for the Nashville Sounds in the minor leagues since.
On the minor league season, Lindblom has made 10 starts and has appeared in 12 games. He has tossed 53 innings and has a 1.35 ERA. Promoting Lindblom might not be a popular choice, but his veteran presence could help out this team as they gear up for a post season run.
Of the three mentioned, only Ashby is currently on the teams 40 man roster. I would not be surprised to see at least one of these three receive a promotion in September. It is just a shame that the call ups are now limited, so it will be interesting to see who David Stearns elects to call up.
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