Here Are Some Possible Colorado Rockies September Call-Ups

Aug 5, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder K. Parker (16) makes a leaping catch in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

There are a couple guys who would’ve been called up for the 40-man expansion, but who just got to Denver as they are! Assuming they don’t get injured, expect them to stick around (duh) and get a long look in the big leagues in September so that they can prove themselves to the Rockies.

Kyle Parker. Free(d) Kyle Parker! The Rockies did just that when they recalled him from AAA again in late July, and now he’s finally playing regularly in the big leagues for the first time in his career.

He hit his first home run on Wednesday, and it looks like he’s going to get a lot more playing time with Corey Dickerson on the disabled list.

Jon Gray. Gray made his big league debut on Tuesday, and there’s surely no way he goes back down to AAA in the next month (I mean, I’d guess that, but come on).

Even if he does poorly in August, he’ll surely be used more sparingly in August, but won’t disappear. Good. Let him prove himself to the Rockies for the next two months and we’ll talk 2016 this winter.

Next: Call-Ups Already On The 40-Man Roster

Jul 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman W. Rosario (20) hits a two RBI double in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

There are obviously quite a few guys the Rockies can add to the active roster when expansion happens at the start of September. While they don’t need to add everyone here, there are a few obvious options (and maybe some not-so-obvious ones on the next slide).

Wilin Rosario. Rosario will surely be back by September one, if not sooner. He’s killing the ball in AAA (he was PCL Player of the Week last week), and the Rockies will surely recall him for September 1st. It remains to be seen how many at-bats he’d get with Ben Paulsen and Parker at first base, but he’ll surely be back in Denver.

Cristhian Adames. Adames was up in Denver (er, Chicago) for exactly one day after Troy Tulowitzki was traded to Toronto, and you should expect him to return for September. He was a PCL All Star this year, and he’s earned the opportunity.

Rafael Ynoa. Remember Ynoa? He was in Denver for most of the first half of the season, before being sent back to AAA Albuquerque. He’s done well in ABQ this summer, and he’s versatile as a switch hitter and utility infielder/outfielder. There’s no reason he wouldn’t be back with the Rockies come September.

Chad Bettis. This depends not on Bettis’ effectiveness, but his health. He should be moving along fairly soon with his forearm injury, and it’d serve the Rockies well if he were back getting starts by September (if not sooner!).

Brooks Brown. Brown, like Bettis, may very well be back before September 1st. Expect him to return soon from his shoulder injury, as he’s wrapping up a rehab assignment at AAA Albuquerque.

Rex Brothers. I think September might be Brothers’ last serious chance with the Rockies if he doesn’t show some improvement in the month. Unless he can find his command then, and in Spring Training in 2016, that’ll be about a year and a half of sustained, weird command struggles. Surely, he can’t get too many more chances… right?

Gonzalez Germen. Germen ought to be back in a few weeks for bullpen depth.

Kenny Roberts. Roberts probably deserves another shot in Denver this September, especially since he’s the perfect audition candidate as the Rockies determine what they may have in the bullpen for next year.

David Hale. Hale, like Brown and Bettis, may be ready to return before September 1. Either way, it’s probably smart to bring him back to Denver in September and give him some more big league innings, despite his fading fast after a strong start earlier this season.

Next: Some Other Unlikely But Interesting Options

Feb 25, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher J. Diaz (47) bunts during a work out at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

These guys aren’t obvious September call-ups, but depending on how much 40-man roster space the Rockies have, how many guys they are interested in bringing up, and what they think about trying out some very young players, any or all of these guys might be worth a look.

Jairo Diaz. The Rockies acquired Diaz for Josh Rutledge last November, and although the reliever hasn’t been particularly good in Albuquerque, it’s probably time to see what they’ve got in return for the backup infielder. He’s on the 40-man roster.

Tyler Matzek. This one might really be a stretch, but Matzek has recently returned to Albuquerque to try to get his career back on track. Maybe September is too soon to have him back with the Rockies, but if he does well enough in progressing mentally over the next month… who knows? He’s still on the 40-man roster.

Miguel Castro. Castro is one of the relievers who the Rockies got in return for Troy Tulowitzki, and he’s in AAA Albuquerque now after having made his big league debut with the Blue Jays this spring. He’s on the 40-man roster.

Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman, of course, is the best pitcher the Rockies got in return for Tulo. He is not on the 40-man roster, and he might be a hell of a stretch to call up this summer, considering he’s only been back a few months from Tommy John surgery, but depending on how he does the next few weeks in AA New Britain, I suppose everything is possible.

David Dahl. Much like Hoffman, Dahl might be a stretch to call up — but for him, due to missing several months with a spleen injury rather than elbow surgery. Nevertheless, he’s had a solid season in AA and certainly is due for a look in Denver next year if the Rockies feel as though he’s not ready now. He is not on the 40-man roster.

Tyler Chatwood. Chatwood has discussed being ready to throw at some point this summer for the Rockies after undergoing elbow surgery last year. We’ll see if that still holds true. He is on the 40-man roster.

Trevor Story. Now that Tulo is gone, Story and Adames are going to get their shots in Denver in 2016 for sure. Is Story ready to come up now? He’s had a monster few weeks at AAA Albuquerque. He is not on the 40-man roster.

Next: Things To Remember About September Baseball

May 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher B. Brown (51) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Rockies defeated the Phillies, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, this is entirely speculative at this point, though hopefully it runs down some of the major call-ups for expansion. Remember, the club can have up to a 40-man roster, but they don’t need to fill the entire thing — they can take only, say, 32 players if they so choose.

I’ve listed 16 players here, so this is 41 total (plus the 25-man active roster). Obviously, at least one (likely several) of these guys will not be called up this September. But that’s beyond the point, which is, well, what should the Rockies do? GET YOUNGER.

As such, it’d behoove them to call up every young guy on this list, fill the entire 40-man roster when they expand (or as much as is feasible), and let the young guys have it out on the field.

Could it mean the Rockies win like seven games in September? Sure. But what does it matter? The club is going absolutely nowhere, and the front office isn’t going to learn anything about what they might have in the future if they don’t start playing these guys now.

Consider me one vote for team blow-it-up and team get-younger, but it’s a necessary vote. Although it may give us some really bad Rockies baseball over the next few months, it’ll be better for the long haul if these young guys with little to no experience get legitimate shots at competing at the big league level.

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