Cleveland Indians: A Look at September Call-Up Options

The Major League Baseball season is quickly closing in on September and expanded rosters. With the Cleveland Indians in a pennant race, is there anyone in the minor leagues that could help the team?

After Sunday’s come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cleveland Indians are 71-51 in 2016, and hold a seven-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. For the most part, manager Terry Francona has found a rotation with his roster that has been effective, and the Indians are on pace for their first division title since 2007.

But there are some holes in the lineup, and with September 1st and the expansion of big league rosters looming, the Tribe will be faced with some interesting decisions surrounding minor league call-ups. In years past, the likes of Michael Brantley, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Jose Ramirez have made their MLB debuts for the Indians after reaching the show in September.

A season ago, as Cleveland finished the year 81-80 and on the outside looking in at the postseason, the only real notable call-ups were relievers Shawn Armstrong, who debuted and made two appearances in August before seeing action in six September games, and Giovanni Soto, who likewise appeared in six games and was sent to the Chicago Cubs this past April.

Given that the Tribe is in the playoff hunt, a massive influx of new blood seems unlikely. Even small contributions could be found a couple of hours south down I-71, though, that could help propel the team to meaningful games in October.

With that in mind, who are the most likely players to find themselves in Cleveland during the season’s final month?

Next: Relief Corps

Kyle Crockett, Shawn Armstrong, & Tommy Hunter

No surprise names here, as Crockett, Armstrong, and Hunter have all spent time in Cleveland this season. While the back end of the bullpen is set with Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, and Bryan Shaw, Dan Otero has been solid all year, and Mike Clevinger is making a case to be utilized as a bullpen weapon, Francona’s love of relievers is well-documented, and it’s likely a few arms will be added when the rosters expand.

Crockett would give the Indians a second left-handed arm in the pen, and has plenty of experience after appearing in 98 games for the club over the past three seasons as he yo-yo’d between Cleveland and Columbus.

Armstrong has been dominant in Triple-A in 2016, posting a 1.96 earned run average, .164 batting average against, 1.17 WHIP, and 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 46 innings of work, and figures to contend for a full-time spot in the big league bullpen in 2017.

The veteran Hunter is currently in Columbus on a rehab stint, connected to the non-baseball injury he sustained to his back over the all-star break, and could conceivably be back with the Indians sooner than September. The 30-year old has made 21 appearances for the Tribe, yielding a 3.74 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and 128 ERA+.

Others that could be in the mix on the mound include the familiar names of Austin Adams, Cody Anderson, and T.J. House, along with prospects like Shawn Morimando, Ryan Merritt, and Adam Plutko, though Plutko is not on the 40-man roster.

Next: Utility Function

Erik Gonzalez & Yandy Diaz

With the absence of Brantley this season, the man who would have served as the team’s super-utility man, Jose Ramirez, became an everyday player, which has paid serious dividends thanks to his breakout performance. Ramirez being a mainstay in the lineup has presented a challenge for Francona, though, who has had to rely heavily on Michael Martinez as his swiss army knife.

Martinez has appeared in 39 games, slashing .260/.280/.356 with an OPS+ of 68, and was even purchased by the Boston Red Sox in July before being waived and ultimately returning to the Indians. While his leadership is often praised, his production is a liability, and in a pennant race he should be seeing as few at-bats as possible.

The 24-year old Gonzalez got his feet wet at the major league level in late July, appearing in 10 games and going 1-for-9 at the plate. Since being optioned back to Columbus, though, he has hit .304 with with six doubles, five home runs, and 11 RBIs in 15 games through Sunday. Gonzalez can play all around the infield and in the outfield, and should see the field for the Indians in September.

As should Diaz, who in just his third year of pro ball has rocketed up Cleveland’s organization and its prospect rankings. At 25, the Cuban-born Diaz is an unusual prospect, but he’s done nothing but hit in 2016. In 112 games between Double-A and Triple-A, he is slashing .314/.407/.436 with 18 doubles, eight homers, and 52 RBIs, and has been working in the outfield since joining the Clippers.

The Tribe outfield, particularly without Brantley and Abraham Almonte who is ineligible for the postseason, is a little thin, with left-handed hitters Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall and righties Rajai Davis and Brandon Guyer. Finding out if Diaz can contribute at the big league level is particularly important, then, as he could fill the fifth outfielder spot. The only issue is that he is not currently on the 40-man roster, and would have to be added.

Beyond Gonzalez and Diaz, Jesus Aguilar, Collin Cowgill, Joey Butler, and Giovanny Urshela could garner consideration for a call-up, though it seems unlikely that any of them would make much of an impact.

Next: Too Soon?

Bradley Zimmer

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Zimmer, the undisputed top prospect in the Indians’ organization following Clint Frazier’s inclusion in the Andrew Miller trade, is a name that many fans will be clamoring for in September. The 23-year old former first round pick has an exciting combination of power and speed, and has risen to Triple-A in his third pro season.

Another left-handed bat, Zimmer has slashed .260/.376/.449 in 116 games between Akron and Columbus, with 22 doubles, 15 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 38 stolen bases. However, he has struck out 148 times in his 419 at-bats (35 percent), and owns a better than 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, suggesting he may be in need of additional seasoning before arriving to what would be enormous expectations in Cleveland.

The time for Zimmer with the Tribe will be soon, possibly even as early as next season. But for a 2016 team with serious postseason aspirations, he may be better served experiencing the race for a second straight Governor’s Cup (Triple-A championship) with the Clippers. The last thing the club wants to do is start his service time clock and have him waste away on the bench or, worse, struggle mightily and lose confidence.

Next: No Need to Panic about Cody Allen

The good news for Cleveland is that the team is in first place for a reason. The holes that can be found on the roster are relatively minor compared to the majority of MLB teams, and there are a few options worth looking at within the organization. September is almost here, and with it the most meaningful baseball to be played by the Indians in years.