The baseball season is grinding towards the playoffs. But while October will only see two handfuls of teams play, the month prior will see rosters expand. September is when most clubs will see their favorite prospects trotted out for the first time. Even a few will make playoff rosters and play a huge role in a potential World Series title. Here are four prospects, two from teams that probably won’t make the playoffs and two that potentially will, that you can look forward to seeing in September.
BRENT HONEYWELL, RHP (TAMPA BAY RAYS)
Tampa Bay isn’t completely out of the second wild card, but I’m putting the Rays in the “won’t make the playoffs” category for this piece. Brent Honeywell has been unstoppable since the end of June. He has an identical 0.93 figure for both his ERA and WHIP during that period with 51/7 K/BB ratio. Tampa’s pitching has been brutal this year and may be the reason they aren’t playing in the postseason. Alex Cobb is on the disabled list, and that stay may be longer than expected. Chris Archer is striking out batters at the best rate of his career but also hitting those bats at a career worst rate. The 22-year-old Honeywell could help Tampa push towards September or give their brass a look towards the future.
CHRISTIN STEWART, OF (DETROIT TIGERS)
The Tigers have completely fallen out of contention since the All-Star Break. They’ve lost seven of their last ten games. Their offense has also found itself wanting. Since trading J.D. Martinez to Arizona, Detroit hasn’t adequately replaced him in the outfield. The only explanation I can think of is they are just keeping right field warm for Christin Stewart. A left fielder by trade in the Minors, Stewart would transition to the other side of the outfield just fine. The 2015 1st round pick’s biggest impact would come at the plate though. He leads the Eastern League (AA) with 24 home runs and is second with 77 RBI. Out of all the players I am going to profile here, Stewart would be the one I’d be most surprised if he wasn’t called up in September.
JARED MILLER, LHP (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)
A shaky bullpen can kill a team come the playoffs. Pens don’t come much shakier among contenders at the moment than Arizona’s. Closer Fernando Rodney just got his ERA under 5.00. Getting to him hasn’t been any prettier. The unit’s lone lefty, T.J. McFarland, has a 10.80 ERA over his last 8 1/3 innings, including a 2 1/3 inning, seven run shellacking from the Cubs at the start of this month. Jared Miller has been one of the best relievers in the Minors since his promotion to Triple-A Reno. Opposing hitters are batting just .101 against him at that level. The southpaw’s performance against righties is even more enticing, with an opposing average of .065. Miller can be a situational lefty or go multiple innings. That is versatility that’ll help Arizona hang on to that second Wild Card spot in September.
VICTOR ROBLES, OF (WASHINGTON NATIONALS)
This is the biggest long shot of the quartet but with recent events one that could very well happen. Bryce Harper avoided ligament damage with his recent injury, but will probably spend a lengthy bit of time on the disabled list. I’m sorry but Brian Goodwin, Wilmer Difo, and Andrew Stevenson aren’t good enough fill-ins. Washington has a big enough lead in the division though that they’ll probably do until September. Then it should be Victor Robles until Harper is 100% healthy. Robles is the 8th ranked prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America. He is the top prospect in Washington’s system. He’s already a 20/20 threat at 20 and some time in the big leagues can only help.
What other prospects do you want to see debut in September? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @sportsftb or towards myself @TREVORutley.