Milwaukee Brewers: September call-up candidates

September baseball means more players on the active roster. Here are the minor leaguers that could get called up to play with the Milwaukee Brewers.

September baseball is coming our way and that means that the MLB active rosters can expand to up to 40 players. With the Milwaukee Brewers pushing for a playoff spot, there are a few guys that could help the team make that late push for a wild card spot and possibly the division title (not likely). There are lots of players making a big impression in the minors and have earned a chance at getting called up to the show once again or maybe for the first time

It’s a Given Category: Highest possibility because they were just sent down or have gotten called up and down the whole season.

Corey Knebel: Just got sent down. Too good to leave him down in the minors during this playoff push, no matter how much he’s struggled.

Adrian Houser: Never too much bullpen. He has a good fastball, good offspeed and has been successful in the majors this season. Also threw a good inning after throwing up on the mound.

Brandon Woodruff: Adds depth to any starting rotation issues. Can give the Crew good long relief innings. Has pitched well in the minors the past month or two.

Jacob Barnes: Gets sent down and brought back up about twice a week. Has a lot of major league experience and can never have too much bullpen.

The Candidates:

Domingo Santana

Domingo made the starting squad coming out of spring training, but with a rough 62 games, he hasn’t seen the majors since June 21st. He batted .249 with only 3 home runs in 189 at bats. Santana seemed like a key part of the future of the Brewers. Going back to his stats last season, he batted .278 and had 30 home runs with an .875 OPS. But with Santana not showing any pop, David Stearns made the move and sent him down to Colorado Springs.

Domingo’s demotion seems like it was the right move and going into September, he has earned himself a call up. Santana is batting .294 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI in AAA and could add a spark to the bench and possibly the starting lineup. With Eric Thames having a rough time at the plate, Domingo and Ryan Braun could platoon in the outfield and add some pop.

2018 Stats in AAA: .294/8 HR/35 RBI/.412 OBP/.921 OPS in 177 AB

Jett Bandy

With Nottingham rehabbing, there’s a good chance Bandy will get the call up. And that is definitely not a bad thing. Bandy was DFA’d in late May, but he ended up not getting claimed by another team, so he was sent to Colorado Springs. And it looks like In the last three months, Bandy has found his stroke down there. He is batting over .300 and has shown some pop during his time.

The tandem of Kratz and Piña is working well in August, and a catcher may not be the biggest need, but it’s not a bad thing to add depth. There are going to be some big games going down the stretch of the season. And adding a hot bat to that bench could really help the Crew. This move would cause someone to be DFA’d or someone getting moved to the 60-Day DL (Mauricio Dubon), but it’s worth it.

2018 Stats in AAA: .302/9 HR/34 RBI/.363 OBP/.896 OPS in 182 AB

Christian Bethancourt

The catcher who was signed in early January to a minor league deal has shown a lot of pop in AAA. He has been hitting an impressive .292 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI. Those stats sound more than deserving to get a call up. It’s a surprise he hasn’t been called up in the first place. And those stats have earned him a few accolades. In the middle of the season, Bethancourt earned himself an All-Star nod and also named 2018 All-PCL catcher. This would also cause someone to be placed on the 60-Day or DFA’d, but it’s worth it.

2018 Stats in AAA   .294/19 HR/64 RBI/.323 OBP/.826 OPS in 364 AB

Zach Davies

Davies has had a rough 2018. It started with struggles, then injuries, and then setbacks. But with September looming, it looks like we could see him back in a Brewers’ jersey. He has shown a lot of success in his last couple rehab assignments and this call up would add some depth to starting pitching, which the Brewers have lost. With the a division title looking unrealistic, and lots of teams right by the Brewers side in the NL Wild Card race, there needs to be another starter that can help this team make a big push in the last month. And Davies could be that guy.

Quintin Torres-Costa

Silently dominant. Quintin Torres Costa has played a big role in the bullpen for Biloxi and Colorado Springs. This left handed reliever has been having a tremendous season and could be a reliever the Brewers could turn to in tough situations. Another lefty in that bullpen would help Counsell’s bullpen decisions and could take Jennings role in Counsell’s famous unsuccessful matchup game.

Quintin would bring in another weird, but effective lefty arm angle. Throwing from three quarters/side arm, he has had strike issues in the past, but with a low 90’s fastball and plus changeup, he could make a huge impact for the Brewers in September.

2018 Stats w/ AA & AAA   3-2/4-6 SVO/1.41/51.0 IP/60 K/23 BB

September is coming. And the race is getting close. Coming into Aug. 28, the Brewers are five games back in the division race. If the season ended today, the Brewers would be facing the red hot St. Louis Cardinals. Unfortunately, the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are right behind them. Hopefully, these potential September call-ups can help the Crew make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.