September Call-Ups: Part 2

Happy Labor Day to everyone.

Listed below are a few players who were not named in my post last Thursday as players to watch, but deserve your attention nonetheless. These players may have been called up later in the week, or may have just slipped under my radar at the time. Anyway, there are some good young call-ups here. Hope you enjoy.


SP Wade Davis (TBR)

The 24-year-old righty was called up a few days ago and made his first Major League start against the Tigers on Sunday. Davis dazzled Detroit for 7 innings, giving up only 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run on an Aubrey Huff homerun. He struck out 9 and threw 105 pitches - 68 for strikes. Davis pitched to a 3.40 ERA in 28 games in AAA, and in 158.2 innings, his K/BB was 140/60. Davis could take over Andy Sonnastine's spot in the rotation for the rest of September, given how poorly Sonnastine has pitched. If Davis can limit his walks, he certainly has the potential to be a solid big league starting pitcher for the Rays of the future.


C Buster Posey (SFG)

The Giants' first round pick of 2008 was called up last week. He has not seen any playing time yet, but in all probability, he will end up behind the plate before too long. Posey began the season at A+, after spending limited time last year in the lower levels of the Giants' system. He played 80 games for San Jose, and held a .433 wOBA when he was promoted to AAA Fresno. There his wOBA was .390 in 35 games. He has shown very good offensive skills in only 542 minor league plate appearances, and also a very good eye at the plate. His BB/K over the past two years was 70/72. We will see if the 22-year-old catcher will be able to make the quick transition to the Major Leagues. Even if he struggles this month, though, he still has incredible potential, and figures to be the Giants' future catcher, as long as he can hold the position defensively.


OF Michael Brantley (CLE)

This speedster has already made his mark in 6 games with the Indians since being called up. He has hit .391 in 24 PA, and has already stolen one base in two tries. This isn't anything special for Brantley, however, as he has already stolen 46 bases in AAA this year. Brantley has not yet hit his first Major League extra base hit, and there may be some who question Brantley's readiness as a hitter for the Major Leagues. Yet, he is still only 22 years old, and has played in AAA the entire year. So even though he only managed a .344 wOBA in AAA, we expect his offensive skills to come along in time, since he has had more offensive success at lower levels (.375 in A; .356 in AA). We'll see what Brantley offers to the Indians in 2009 and beyond. He has looked promising so far.


Thanks for reading, and check back next weekend for a new post. The topic in currently undecided. i will announce it some time this week.