It is August 31 and the Phillies are limping towards the end of the season. That means tomorrow the Phillies can call up reinforcements to help get them to the end of the season. Don’t expect much on September 1 though. However, the AA and AAA seasons end on September 4th and that provides another time for callups. Who are those player who will get added?
The September 1 Locks:
- Juan Nicasio
The Phillies designated Brock Stassi for assignment to claim Nicasio off of waivers today. He probably won’t be activated until September 1, he has a 2.85 ERA over 60 innings and should help stabilize the Phillies’ bullpen.
The Injured Player Locks:
- Odubel Herrera
- Aaron Altherr
- Andrew Knapp
Both players are on rehab assignments with Reading starting today. The Phillies will be in New York on Monday September 4 and both players should be activated then. Knapp is still a bit further away, but he will be back as soon as he is healthy.
The Prospect Locks:
- J.P. Crawford
There is enough smoke around Crawford to assume that he is coming to the majors on September 5, the Phillies will need to make a move to add him to the 40 man roster.
Out For the Year (non-60 day):
- Jesmuel Valentin
The Rest of the 40 man Roster
- Drew Anderson
- Mark Appel (MiLB DL)
- Zach Eflin (MLB DL)
- Casey Fien (60 Day DL)
- Jake Thompson
- Alberto Tirado (MiLB DL)
- Dylan Cozens
- Cameron Perkins
- Roman Quinn (MiLB DL)
- Elniery Garcia
Drew Anderson has been up in the majors a few times, but he is likely to be shut down after his next start. Appel made a rehab assignment for the GCL Phillies today. The Phillies good shut him down after the rehab, or they could call him up to the majors as a reliever. Zach Eflin will either be back in the majors pitching for the Phillies or moved to the 60 day DL, we have not gotten many updates on his status. Casey Fien needs to be activated from the 60 day DL soon, but he has been bad, I could see the Phillies designating him for assignment rather than adding him back to the 40 man roster. Jake Thompson hasn’t been good, but the Phillies need arms. Alberto Tirado is in the same boat as Appel, but given his control issues this year, he probably would do better to work with the Phillies’ staff in Clearwater. Dylan Cozens could come up, but there is already not a lot of playing time and he has been really bad of late. He probably could use the time off before a winter ball assignment. Cameron Perkins is an easy depth call up if he isn’t designated for his roster spot. Roman Quinn may or may not get back in time, the Phillies have not ruled out him getting some big league time this year. Elniery Garcia needs innings and is going to the Arizona Fall League to get them.
Non-40 Man Candidates:
- Henderson Alvarez
- Pedro Beato
- Brandon Leibrandt
- Jose Taveras
- Logan Moore
- Andrew Pullin
- Carlos Tocci
Alvarez has been ok in his two start and has looked cooked for years, but the Phillies are really desperate for pitching. Pedro Beato was up earlier in the year and represents an arm attached to a body. Brandon Leibrandt and Jose Taveras are both Rule 5 eligible and in contention for 40 man roster spots, both are also nearing their innings limits (Thomas Eshelman is essentially at his). Logan Moore could be a 3rd catcher. Both Pullin and Tocci need 40 man spots this offseason, and while they haven’t hit well in AAA could be in consideration if Altherr and/or Herrera have set backs.
Prediction Time:
- September 1: Juan Nicasio
- September 4: Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera
- September 5: J.P. Crawford, Jake Thompson, Cameron Perkins, Logan Moore, Henderson Alvarez
- When Healthy: Andrew Knapp, Mark Appel, Roman Quinn
- To Make Room: Jerad Eickhoff and Zach Eflin to the 60 day DL, Hyun Soo Kim released
I think Crawford will be the big name to come up, but the big story will be Herrera and Altherr making for an exciting lineup. It doesn’t sound like Knapp will be back soon, so I could see Logan Moore coming up so that Alfaro and Rupp can pinch hit more. I am going with a Henderson Alvarez promotion because the Phillies desperately need players who can throw innings. I do think we see Mark Appel and Roman Quinn for cameos.