Colorado Rockies: The two September call-ups

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Alan Trejo #13 of the Colorado Rockies scores on a Charlie Blackmon RBI double against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Coors Field on April 30, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Alan Trejo #13 of the Colorado Rockies scores on a Charlie Blackmon RBI double against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Coors Field on April 30, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Since the calendar has flipped to September, September call-ups are upon us. Prior to 2020, teams were able to call up all of their players on their 40-man roster. Since then, clubs have only been able to expand their rosters by two players in September. The Colorado Rockies have announced their two September call-ups for this season.

The Rockies called up infielder Alan Trejo and pitcher Chad Smith as their September call-ups before Thursday’s series finale with the Atlanta Braves.

Rockies September call-ups: Alan Trejo, Chad Smith called up

The Rockies have called up Alan Trejo and pitcher Chad Smith as their September call-ups from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Trejo, 26, made his MLB debut with the Rockies last season and he has played in 11 games at the MLB level with the club this year. In 39 games (90 plate appearances) total in the majors, he has hit .224/.256/.329 with two home runs, nine RBI, and an OPS+ of 52. Defensively, he can play second, third, and shortstop so he will give the club some versatility there.

Prior to Thursday’s game in Atlanta, Trejo spoke to reporters, including Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry, about his return to the majors. “I think that I can play at this level,” Trejo said. “(I’m looking to) get more playing time and hopefully get an opportunity.”

“Just being consistent. I’ve had my spurts where I go 0-for-10. Just being able to bounce back from that and (helping) the team win and being consistently good on defense, I think is something that I take a lot of pride in. And that’s something that I’m very proud of the last few years.”

In Albuquerque, he has hit .296/.331/.551 with 16 home runs, 52 RBI, and 20 doubles in 67 games.

Smith, 27, made his MLB debut with the Rockies this season and he has struggled. In four games in the majors, he has gone 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, seven runs, five walks, and two hit batsmen. However, he has pitched very well in the hitter-friendly PCL. He has appeared in 32 games there with 12 saves, a 3.09 ERA, and an average of 2.8 walks and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings.