OK, so you’re in last place in your fantasy baseball league. And much like the Houston Astros, the only thing to look forward to is next year.
But before we get to that, there are still September callups to get through. This is the time of the year when MLB rosters expand from 25 guys to 40, and promising minor league players are given a shot to display their talents in the majors.
These callups usually mean more to real-life teams rather than fantasy players, but it’s worth keeping an eye on for owners in keeper leagues, as well as teams looking to make that final push for the playoffs. It’s very difficult to predict who will be called up and who will be left in Double-A, but fantasy owners should pay attention to these seven players who could prove to be valuable assets in dynasty leagues and some could hold value as spot starters in leagues that change lineups daily.
Carlos Martinez, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Martinez has already had an appearance in the majors this season, making an emergency start at the beginning of August. After he disappointed in his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Martinez was optioned back to the minors in exchange for Michael Wacha.
But that doesn’t mean fans have seen the last of Martinez. He is more likely to make some bullpen appearances, but could make a spot start or two before the season is over. This is definitely a guy who has a future in the majors, going 5-3 in Triple-A Memphis this season, striking out eight batters per inning and only giving up two homeruns in 12 starts. With Chris Carpenter as a free agent this offseason and Lance Lynn on an expiring contract, Martinez could easily find himself as a start in St. Louis’s rotation next year.
Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs
Baez is easily the most talented guy in this group, but his chance of getting called up is the lowest. The Cubs have said time and time again that they plan to not rush the star shortstop, but opinions can always change and Chicago can get desperate to sell tickets at the end of the season. If Baez gets the call, pick him up immediately. Between A+ ball and Double-A, Baez has played in 120 games, hitting 33 homers and knocking in 100 runs while hitting .286.
This 20-year-old is putting up Mike Trout-like numbers in the minors this year and if he plays in Chicago he is a must-own in fantasy.
Nick Castellanos, 3B/OF, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are so good, it’s hard to find a spot for Castellanos to play. But if Detroit feels they have a comfortable enough league in the division that they begin to sit some of their stars, Castellanos is a viable fantasy option if he gets the call to play. He spent most of 2012 playing third, but recently switched over to the outfield with Triple-A Toledo. Castellanos doesn’t have much power, only hitting 15 homeruns in 125 games, but has driven in 68 runs and gets on base about 35 percent of the time. At only 21, Castellanos has plenty of time to grow but if he can walk more and strikeout less, the Tigers will have no choice but to pay attention to him and get him in the major league lineup.
Jameson Taillon, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Another guy who has already had a quick taste of the minors, Taillon was called up briefly this season to fill in the bullpen when closer Jason Grilli went down with an injury. Now back in Triple-A Indianapolis, Taillon has been a strikeout machine, mowing down about nine batters in every nine innings that he’s pitched. His ERA is floating above 3.20, not great, but as the Pirates look to secure a playoff spot Taillon could be a good fantasy relief pitcher who could pick up some strikeouts and, in leagues that score them, holds.
Billy Hamilton, SS/OF, Cincinnati Reds
On a team that looks to be a lock for the second Wild Card spot in the National League, Hamilton is very likely to be called up to provide a spark to the lineup. There’s no doubt that the 22-year-old’s best attribute is his speed, swiping 73 bases in 115 games this year with Triple-A Louisville. Cincinnati is already a solid team but could send Hamilton into a platoon with current shortstop Zack Cozart who is only hitting .238 this year.
The 2009 Amateur Draft draft pick started out his minor league career playing short, but has mainly been an outfielder in 2013. But it’s never a bad idea to call up a guy like Hamilton who can steal some bases and inject life into a lineup.
George Springer, OF, Houston Astros
Keeping the Astros metaphor alive, what do they have to lose by not calling this guy up? Springer is knocking the cover off the ball in Triple-A, hitting a homerun in about every 10 at-bats and driving in 47 runs in 53 games. Springer’s strikeout rate is higher than Houston would want, but you can’t argue with a .647 slugging percentage. As of Friday morning, Springer would be leading the team in slugging, OPS and batting average, and would be second on the team in stolen bases.
Springer is not only the most likely candidate to get a September callup and get playing time, but he is one of the most talented Triple-A players out there right now and Houston would be making a huge mistake to not get Springer some major league at bats.