In what was expected to be, and largely has been, a non-competitive season for the Orioles, fans have had a few key dates to look forward to during an otherwise long six months. The first was June 3rd, when GM Mike Elias took charge of his first MLB Draft and selected catcher Adley Rutschman, who certainly has the look of a generational talent. July 2nd came and went a month later, and for the first time in franchise history the Orioles participated fully during the opening of the international signing period. While the organization snagged a few interesting prospects, it was more exciting to see Elias and company establish a real international presence. The July 31st trade deadline followed and while it was rife with speculation, nothing really came of it, as only veteran starter Andrew Cashner was dealt. In just over a week, the final significant date of the season, September 1st, will arrive. Rosters expand and, while I doubt Elias will start the service clock of someone like Ryan Mountcastle, there are some interesting names that may get the call.
Getting the Call
OF Austin Hays
While Hays has struggled with injuries both this season and last year, the Orioles need to see what they have in the 24 year old. He's already on the 40 man and because he received a September call up in 2017, his service clock has already started. While Hays' AAA slashline (.250/.309/.469) isn't overly impressive, he has an OPS of .800 in July and August. With the Orioles desperate for a center fielder, he'll likely get an audition in September. An outfield of DJ Stewart, Austin Hays, and Anthony Santander would certainly be fun to watch.
LHP Keegan Akin
Like Hays, Akin hasn't had the strongest year at AAA. He owns 4.92 ERA to go along with an inflated WHIP of 1.54. Luckily for Akin, the Orioles are filling out their rotation with the likes of Ty Blach and Aaron Brooks. So while he hasn't earned it with his performance at AAA, the big league club's need for arms might get him a September audition. A secondary consideration is the fact that the lefty needs to be added to the 40 man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, so Elias and Brandon Hyde may want to see if he merits a spot up close for themselves.
RHP Dillon Tate
While Tate struggled in his brief cup of coffee with the big league club, there were flashes of potential, namely the seven strikeouts in six innings pitched. His fastball, though a bit straight, touched 96 MPH and he paired it with a solid slider. The righty's main problem was command. Since being demoted to AAA, he's posted a 2.00 ERA and a .212 BA against after posting a 3.48 ERA at AA Bowie. While Tate's ceiling may only be a 7th inning reliever in the mold of Tommy Hunter, he'll get an audition in September to further his development and besides, the Orioles' pen needs all the help it can get.
C Austin Wynns
The 28 year old doesn't offer much offensively but he's an above average defender with solid blocking skills and a good arm. He's already on the 40 man roster and teams always carry a third catcher in September so Wynns is about as solid a lock as there is. I don't see him getting much playing time unless a pitcher from AAA who Wynns has experience catching, such as Keegan Akin or Bruce Zimmermann, is making his debut.
OF Dwight Smith Jr.
With the call up of DJ Stewart and the emergence of Anthony Santander, I don't see Smith getting much playing time in September. But he's been with the team all year prior to a series of injuries, so he gets the call on the 1st. While the 26 year old seems like a good clubhouse guy, he's not a very good defender, even in left field, and has regressed dramatically since his hot April and May. He was a solid placeholder for the first few months of the season but I see September as his last month as an Oriole.
DH Mark Trumbo
Trumbo will likely be reinstated from the 60 day IL and added to the roster in September, largely as a reward for how much rehab he's done to get back in playing shape. With how serious the injury seemed to be this could be the last season of his career, so I expect him to receive some at bats here and there. However, I doubt Hyde let's Trumbo get in the way of his evaluation of younger players. Like his teammate Chris Davis, the DH won't see much playing time in the final month of the season.
Keep Your Phone Close
OF Cedric Mullins
While Mullins has had quite the fall from grace this season, being demoted all the way to AA-Bowie, he's been on a bit of hot streak as of late, hitting .286 in his last ten games. This mini hot streak raised his slashline to an okay, .259/.315/.389, which while not great is a significant improvement over his performances at AAA and with the Orioles. He still brings speed and defense to the table, both of which could make him attractive to an Orioles team that has struggled defensively in the outfield. I expect Mullins to get a chance to compete for the 4th outfielder job out of spring training next season, so I wouldn't be surprised if he starts his audition early this September.
RHP Christian Alvarado
Another pitcher that needs to be added to the 40 man roster this offseason, Alvarado may get the call based on how effective he's been as a reliever for AA-Bowie. The 24 year old righty owns a 2.91 ERA, a .203 BA against, and 64 strikeouts in 68.0 innings pitched. He has a fastball that sits at 93 MPH and touches 96 MPH to go along with slider. While he's not really a prospect, he'd be a solid guy to get a look at. He could be a decent middle reliever, which isn't nothing, especially in the Orioles' bullpen.
Sitting at Home
1B/LF Ryan Mountcastle
Mountcastle has earned a promotion. He's slashing .311/.343/.528 with 24 homers, 30 doubles, and leads the International league in hits with 149. While there are concerns about his aggressive approach (only 22 walks), the power and ability to make consistent contact are real. If he reaches his full potential, Mountcastle will likely hit 30 homers and bat .290 in the big leagues. However, because he's only 22, I expect Elias to keep him down until at least May of next season to gain an extra year of service time. His promotion could be delayed until June in order to impede his arbitration eligibility as well. If Mountcastle is wearing an Orioles jersey on September 1st, it'll be a surprise.
RHP Dean Kremer
While Kremer will surely be added to the 40 man roster this offseason as he's Rule 5 eligible, the Orioles will refrain from calling up any of their top pitching prospects this September. For his part, Kremer has struggled a bit to adjust to AAA, so it's probably for the best.
Several other pitchers on the 40 man roster such as David Hess, Tom Eshelman, and Brandon Kline will likely be recalled as well but they've largely demonstrated what they bring to the table already. A name to keep an eye on is lefty Bruce Zimmermann. The 24 year old's upside is only a 5th starter so calling him up in September likely won't jeopardize his development too much. He was very good in AA (2.58 ERA) and threw 7.0 innings of one run ball in his last start at AAA. Zimmermann isn't on the 40 man roster, however, and doesn't need to be added until next offseason, but while it's unlikely, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a spot start here or there this September.
留言