Dodgers Potential September Call Ups

May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (65) at bat against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The game marked the major league debut for Barnes. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

1. Austin Barnes

There’s no reason not to call up a third catcher. Catcher depth is always a good thing, and with Yasmani Grandal‘s recent shoulder problems a third catcher should definitely be one of the first players called up. Barnes is also pretty great. In 322 AAA plate appearances this year, Barnes is slashing .318/.393/.489 and has the same number of walks and strikeouts (34). He’s only played catcher and DH this year, but in the past he’s played at second and third so he could probably do that in a pinch. It’s pretty clear that this FO values versatility, and they got two incredibly talented, versatile players in that Dee Gordon trade.

Next: Speed Could Help in September

Mar 7, 2015; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Jose Peraza (70) throws to first against the New York Mets during the spring training baseball game at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jose Peraza

Of all the players the Dodgers acquired at the deadline, Peraza is probably the least disappointing of the bunch so far. The 21-year-old second baseman played two games in the majors when Howie Kendrick went down with his hamstring injury and had one hit (a triple) in six at bats. In AAA (OKC and Gwinette, ATL’s affiliate), Peraza is slashing .293/.316/.378 with 33 stolen bases in 40 attempts. He’s played at second, short and centerfield in his short time in OKC and he could be the spark the Dodgers have desperately been lacking. If Kendrick and Chase Utley walk after this season, he’s probably the frontrunner to take over at second next season. His speed off the bench could be vital in a close game down the stretch.

Next: 6th Starter/Bullpen Arm

Jul 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger (46) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Bolsinger

Nope, Bolsinger isn’t coming up to replace Mat Latos in the rotation. Bolsinger was great in his 16 starts for the Dodgers this year, but he could be a key pitcher out of the bullpen in September. Bolsinger’s numbers as a starter were very good the first two times through the lineup, but opposing hitters slashed .275/.383/.391 against him the third time. Bolsinger allowed 14 runs in 283 plate appearances the first two times through the lineup. In 81 plate appearances the third time through, Bolsinger also surrendered 14 runs. There are rumors that the Dodgers are considering moving to a 6-man rotation, which I don’t love, but Bolsinger would probably be the logical choice there.

Next: More Bullpen Help

Aug 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Yimi Garcia (63) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 in extra innings. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Yimi Garcia

Yimi was sent down when Juan Nicasio was activated off the DL, and per rules he cannot be recalled for 10 days. He won’t be called up right away, but he’s eligible to be recalled on September 3 and it there’s no reason for him to not be called up at that point. The bullpen is still not where it needs to be and when he’s on, Garcia is probably the best of the non-Kenley bunch. He has a great chance of pitching his way into the playoff roster.

Next: Seriously All the Bullpen Help

Jun 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Adam Liberatore (36) walks off the field during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

5. Adam Liberatore, Daniel Coulombe, Josh Ravin, Zach Lee, Ian Thomas, Joe Wieland

This slide was comprised of “OKC pitchers who are on the 40-man roster”. All of them don’t necessarily need to be up, but they’re all eligible and at this point the Dodgers still need to find a bullpen that can bridge the gap to Kenley Jansen. Some numbers (K%, BB%) like the Dodgers and that’s promising, but I’m not sure how many fans or players have faith in the current bullpen. There’s still time to find some combination that works in September and October, and one or two of these guys could work their way into it.

Next: Hey Maybe Some Bullpen Help

Aug 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

6. Jharel Cotton

This is not what Cotton looks like, but we don’t have access to any photos of him. Cotton has come on strong this season and while he’s not on the 40-man, he might pitch himself into a September callup. Cotton started the season in A, and moved through High-A to AA and is not in AAA. He started the season as MLB.com’s 27th ranked Dodger prospect and moved up to 15th after posting a 2.19 ERA in 90 minor league innings. He’s currently coming out of the bullpen in OKC and in his first outing, he gave up three baserunners but struck out six in two innings. He’s averaged over 10 K/9 at every level he’s pitched at this season, so it might be worth seeing what he can do out of the pen in October.

Next: Bullpen Help: Prodigy Edition

Mar 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias (84) throws in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

7. Julio Urias

This is where it gets fun with the top guys. Urias missed a month of the minor league season after undergoing eye surgery, which has helped keep his inning count low. Urias is a beast and most are salivating about the prospect of him pitching out of the Dodger bullpen in September. At age 22, David Price came up for the Rays and pitched in five regular season games (14 innings) and earned a spot out of their bullpen in October. He appeared in three ALCS and two World Series games and allowed a single run. Francisco Rodriguez didn’t allow a run in five 2/3 innings as a 20-year-old for the 2002 Angels and ended up pitching in 18 2/3 innings for them in the playoffs. See what I’m getting at here. Oh yeah, URIAS IS ONLY 19. Mattingly has already said that Urias won’t be part of the first wave of minor leaguers to come up, but there’s a chance he makes his Dodger debut in September.

Next: Longshot, but Seager COULD Help the Bullpen

Mar 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (61) hits a sacrifice fly out in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

8. Corey Seager

Seager is the number two prospect on MLB.com (number one with Byron Buxton currently up for Minnesota) and most signs point to him being the shortstop of the future. Unless the Dodgers want to take the Kris Bryant approach and get an extra year of Seager, he should be the opening day shortstop next year and they might as well bring him up to get his feet wet in September. Seager has a .275/.329/.440 slashline in AAA and could be a solid lefty off the bench for the Dodgers in September. If Jimmy Rollins hadn’t heated up, there’s a chance Seager would already be the starter, but Rollins has definitely earned his keep so far in the second half.

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