Ok, September is here and with that comes roster expansion. Let's take a look at some guys who could potentially get the call. Most of the guys who were pegged as September call-ups got the call early because of injuries or trades. Jason Hammel, JP Howell both got the call early because of injuries to the pitching staff and Delmon because of the Branyan trade. Here is a list of guys who could potentially get the call:
Pitchers:
Doug Waechter
Brian Stokes
Edwin Jackson
Jeff Niemann
Scott Dunn
Juan Salas
Hitters:
Joel Guzman
Shawn Riggans
Ty Wiggington.
Now some of these guys are unlikely to be called up but are mentioned because they're on the 40 man roster. Doug Waechter, Joel Guzman and Jeff Niemann fall into this category.
Waechter has an ERA over 8 in Durham and has struggled with his mechanics all year, so I doubt he'll get the call.
Niemann on the other hand has probably earned a call-up, but because Montgomery is in the playoff hunt and the fact that he'll be going to the Arizona Fall League (AFL), I doubt the DRO wants to call him up. September will be a time to rest his arm in between the end of the minor league season and the AFL. They probably don't want to push him, especially since this is his first time healthy since 03'.
Guzman hasn't played particularly well in Durham, and the only reason I really mentioned him is because he's probably our first baseman of the future and the DRO might want to get a look at him before spring training to see if he might figure into next years plans. He'll most likely start next year in Durham and get called up as soon as he's ready. He's only 21, so he's got plenty of time to develop.
Wiggington and Riggans are almost certainly going to get the called up. Riggans is going to be Navarro's back up for the next few years most likely and is 26 with nothing left to prove in AAA. Wiggy is on a rehab assignment and they just don't have space on the roster for him until they expand. Expect Wiggy to spend most of his time at DH and 2B spelling a struggling Cantu during September.
Now to the pitchers. I honestly don't have a clue who in this group will get the call.
Juan Salas has earned a call up, dominating two leagues, but he's not on the 40-man roster. Although it wouldn't be hard to find space for him, they might just be content to let him go home and rest his arm and be part of the pen next year.
Edwin Jackson has been wildly inconsistent this year. Dominate at times, and others he couldn't get me out (only because walking is an option :)). He'll most likely get a call up despite his inconsistencies. He's out of options and has to be on the 25-man roster next year, otherwise he'd have to clear waivers to get sent to the minors (which wouldn't happen because of his potential).
Brian Stokes is an interesting one. He's on the 40-man roster, and there is an immediate need for a starter with Fossum likely going to the DL. He's not really a prospect, but he might just be a warm body on the field for a couple games. Don't expect much out of him if he gets the call. However, I didn't expect anything out of Corky as a starter either, and he's been very serviceable for the Rays, so anything's possible.
Scott Dunn was terrible in Tampa Bay, giving up 10 ER in 7.2 IP. However in Durham he was much better. His K/9 was 9.2, he gave up fewer hits than IP and his ERA was a solid 2.77. Now, again, don't expect much if he's called up, but he is almost certainly an upgrade over someone in our pen! Oh, but he's not on the 40 man roster either, so they'd have to find a spot if they want to call him up.