September Call Ups, Hitters
August 24, 2009
Category: Fantasy Baseball Buy/Sell
With September 1st knocking on August’s door — August 31st, is that you? Uh… No. August 30th? Nope. August 32nd? No, you nitwit! It’s September 1st! – it’s time we looked at September call ups. These are potential September call ups that will, should, could and potentially make or not make a difference in fantasy baseball. Today, we’ll look at the hitters, then on Tuesday afternoon we’ll look at pitchers. So tip out some of your malt liquor for the pitchers who aren’t here and take a drag on that Newport, cause Razzball’s Alive With Pleasure with September call ups, the hitters. Anyway, here’s some potential September call ups to keep your eye on for fantasy baseball:
Jason Heyward – I could shave words of praise in my merkin for Heyward, but it probably won’t do us any good. If Heyward gets called up, he probably won’t have that large of a role in September.
Mat Gamel – He should be the every day 3rd baseman in Milwaukee in September. At worse, he plays every day vs. righties. He’ll be worth an immediate pickup in all leagues for a shot of adrenaline to your fantasy baseball heart. Speaking of which, Inglourious Basterds… I was kinda bored. Maybe it was my mood. Not sure. Just got sick of looking at slow push-ins.
Kila Ka’aihue – I was actually looking forward to the Hawaiia’an mash machine’s call up last November. How’s that for prescience!
Jeff Clement – Oh, just call him up already, Pirates. What are you waiting for? 2012? He deserves to be up already and given a long look.
Buster Posey – Probably will see some time… In spring training.
Justin Smoak – Was broken down by Scouting the Unknown. Smoak’s another guy I don’t think we see this year.
Chris Heisey – Should get the call up by the Reds. Or not! This is for the Reds to decide. He has moderate speed and power. Think 12/12. In one month, think 3/3. So, eh. But keepers should stay alert.
Cameron Maybin – You need to put aside the differences you guys had back in April. Maybin’s worth look in 12 team, mixed leagues if/when he gets his September call up.
Eric Young Jr. – If you need steals in NL-Only leagues, stash him immediately. Also, Barmes may lose significant time.
Brandon Allen – Besides sounding like a furniture store, he has good power, has already been called up and has a legit shot of seeing a lot of time at first for the Diamondbacks in September.
Tyler Flowers – Sticking with the mall store names, Flowers may get called up in September, but his role will be limited like cumin in chili.
Jeff Larish – Yo, 70′s Bowie was Larish! Wait, that’s not right. Jeff Larish is an all power, heavy K 1st baseman. He probably won’t see much playing time if he’s called up. And he’s androgynous.
Krispie Young – Now there’s a hot rookie name!
Chris Davis – With the Rangers in the hunt, I doubt they give Davis the requisite at-bats he’ll need to continue his assault on the all-time strikeout record. Though he’s capable of a huge month, so it’s worth a flier.
Brandon Wood – Yeah, Scioscia will play him. And in other news, water is dry.
Austin Jackson – For all of youse out there with Don Mattingly pillow cases and “Jeter’s My Homeboy” t-shirts don’t do it. Put down Jackson for this year.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I can’t wait to add Mat with one T Gamel again. That homer he hit in his 2nd game up had me thinking I just added Ryan Braun II. Sure, he ended up sucking, but whatever I was pretty excited at the time!!
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August 24th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Also start Gil Meche today in a 14-teamer?
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@anon: Yeah, Gamel should be a good one. I’d start Meche.
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August 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
@Grey: So far so good with Lee today,should I push my luck and start Buckholz and Weaver?
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August 24th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Slow push-ins? Sure it wasnt the new Sasha Grey movie?
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August 24th, 2009 at 11:58 am
@Grey: i grabbed laporta last week and was going to grab gamel the next day after starting a spot sp,steve grabbed him 1st,thats in our keeper league,oh and i see howard is getting real hot,been busy and tend to forget to thank you or mention the great one liners,another awesome job,Also do you think heyward even makes a run at next year or seasons a bit longer?
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@Doug Ault: In what kind of league H2H playoffs? 12 team?
@emporers monkey: Ha!
@AL KOHOLIC: I think Heyward gets a chance next year, in spring training at least. If he doesn’t hit in spring training, he might not get the start, but the way they gave Schafer his chance this year makes me think they might do the same.
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@Grey: 12 team 5×5
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@Doug Ault: I’d start both.
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
@AL KOHOLIC: You snooze, you lose
You guys bid me up so far on my boys at the auction, I need all the cheap guys I can get.
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
@Steve: great grab,as i said i was going to grab him,infact the same day you did,pulled him up and boom he`s on the flightless birds,you know the old joke?what kind of bird doesnt fly?a jail bird,,are you in the pen steve,if so we`ll take up a collection and send you a lady of the night and ciggs
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Jeter is my homeboy, though
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
@Critter Nagurski: werd. . . and Jesus.
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August 24th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I have mixed reports….Davis will get the start at first, and should see plenty of time. Secondly, he won’t get enough at bats to break the record for K’s….I am hoping he gets plenty of at bats for my strikeout only league…KAGNOF
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@Nate M: If he hits, he’ll get starts and he’s worth a flier. But he did fail pretty bad already this year, so don’t drop anyone too worthwhile.
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Start Arroyo tomorrow at Mil ?
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@SamYo: I would.
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Davis will hit like he did last year at this time. He looked fine in AAA. A new mini donkey to ride. Especially in deep leagues. Also, can’t see Barmes loosing much time playing the way he is right now.
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Arroyo or Smoltz for the rest of the year? Hmmmm.
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@Matt K: Tough choice. I’d probably go with Smoltz.
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I benched Beckett this week for Meche in 16-team H2H.
God help me. God help us all.
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@Puppy breath: Nice username!
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Worth it to stream Masterson against KC tomorrow? I also have Lackey, Kershaw, and Anderson going.
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@Mike: Sure, but it’s risky.
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August 24th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
AND Beckett is back in as Santana is now out. Oi.
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@Puppy breath: Yeah, saw that. The Mets charmed season continues.
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August 24th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Remember back when all the touts were screaming, “trade Matt Cain! The numbers don’t back up the performance blah yadda quick blah!” I did. Cain and A Gonzo for Santana and Loney. Cain got better and better, Santana started to suck, and Loney can’t even crack my lineup. Shot a big hole in my foot with that one.
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August 24th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
@Grey: Nicely done, nicely done. Saved me a bit of time for Wednesday’s StU post. Watch Austin Jackson have one good at-bat and ESPN drooling about the Yanks top prospect and how he’ll become their next superstar for years to come. Blah! Makes me want to futuristically vomit, twice.
If the Royals weren’t blindfolded they may have refused to trade for Mike Jacobs and instead watch the Big Hawaiian (Ka’aihue) do just as well for way less.
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@Puppy breath: Yeah, Cain’s numbers never regressed as they seemed like they would.
@Stephen: Yeah, the trade for Jacobs was one of the biggest head scratchers last offseason. As I pointed out here:
http://razzball.com/royals-trade-for-jacobs/
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August 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I know this applies to the previous post, but would you drop Alexei Ramirez for Peralta? Alexei’s playing like his drumset just got teabagged.
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August 24th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
boy gallardo has to stop walking guys to pitch more innings,108 pitches thru 5 innings,4 hits 4 walks and 8 k`s,only 1 run,he should get the win here up 7-1 but we want 7 innings 1 walk 12 k`s
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August 24th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Okay, gambling time — I’ve got Halladay starting and Jered Weaver on my bench. Halladay has gotten off to a poor start against the Rays, getting dinked for 5 hits and 3 runs, so now do I start Weaver and go for double or nothing, or keep him benched and play it safe.
I guess this is a psychological question — is the pain worse when you have a great performance on your bench and a lousy one in your rotation, or when you have two lousy performances?
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@IowaCubs: Ha! Yeah, I’d make the switch at this point.
@AL KOHOLIC: Agreed, his walks are bad. Maybe he misses Mike Maddux.
@Dingo: I’d start Weaver.
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August 24th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
@Dingo: Pain is always worse when that nice start is on your bench.
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August 24th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
@Grey: @Stephen: All right, you’ve convinced me. If I’m going down, I’m going down swinging!
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August 24th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
out of these 5, who should i bench?
morneau
reynolds
branyan
berkman
aramis ramirez
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@the robbie: For when? Bench Reynolds if he’s out with the flu. Bench Branyan if they’re all healthy.
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August 24th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Grey, how much time do you think Chris Young gets in AZ in Sept?
thanks!
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@Dude: I think he might see 3 to 4 games a week, unless he gets crazy hot, which seems like a longshot.
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August 24th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
why does carlos gonzalez keep getting sat? is it just a platoon righty lefty deal? DUMB!!!
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August 24th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Man, talk about a funky night.
I took the risk by throwing Zito because I thought the numbers from Halladay and Buchholz would offset any bumps Zito has.
Dang, Halladay – 6 IP, 12 H, 7 ER
Then there is Buch still throwing 4 IP, 4 ER.
I think I’ll go get Arroyo to try and offset Buch and Halladay’s puke on my numbers.
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August 24th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Dumb question but why does Kendrick play so sporadically?
It’s not like his numbers haven’t earned him more playing time.
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August 24th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
OK, WTF – Beckett gets left in when he clearly doesn’t have it but Buch gets pulled after 4.2 IP so there is no chance for even an ugly win.
Blow up my ERA, WHIP, give me nothing for Ks or a W. Thanks Francona – now go back and read what your Bigelow tea leaves say about managing the next inning.
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@TYY: He’s injured, talked about in the morning post.
@BSA: Scioscia’s platooning Kendrick. Don’t try and understand it. You’ll go crazy.
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August 24th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
@Grey: Yeah I’m just riding it. More of a head scratcher, like Tito’s managing this past few days.
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August 24th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Carlos Guillen or Jake Fox?
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August 24th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I just made the trade of carpenter for choo in a 17 team league.
Am I dumb?
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@Steve: Fox is an every day player, so if you have the luxury of swapping him out, go with him.
@Corey: Not if you needed what Choo gives you, but I think you could’ve done better.
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August 24th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I actually decided not to do that. I figured I wasn’t getting enough, even with the injury risk.
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August 24th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Hey Grey: Casey Blake is on the waiver wire. Should I grab him to supplement my third base blahtoon of Ian Stewart and Hank Blalock or should I reacquaint myself with the Gamel – toe?
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August 24th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Another question: I have asked this before,
I give up Josh Johnson and net Wandy and Nolasco. Am I getting enough? Basically I am sitting at 7 good keepers out of nine and obviously need some more.
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@Pops: I’d lose Blalock for Blake.
@Corey: That’s fair, seems like a decent haul for Johnson.
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August 24th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Boys, I’m in a tight spot. I’m in 2nd, 7 points back of the lead. I’m ahead of my nemesis in saves… by one. I own both Downs and Frasor. If I activate Downs, I’d have to drop Frasor. I could keep Downs in my DL slot until he earns a save to be sure, but Saves are precious.
Drop Frasor now or wait until Downs gets a save?
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@Shmorgie S. Board: There’s no one else to drop? If not, I’d wait until he gets a save.
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August 24th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
chris david got the call up, should i pick him up in a 12 team league. I would either pick him up or spot start brian anderson
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August 24th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Brett anderson sorry
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August 24th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Sigh. I have one bench player, E-Cab (Everth Cabrera). He’s one helluva SAGNOF! and I can gain a point in Saves. I like to have at least one bench player.
In pitching, I can pass my rival in Ks and make points in wins, so I really can’t drop any SP:
Wandwagon; Scherzer; Lilly; Garza; Wolfman; and Brett Anderson
My closers:
Fuenteth; Pet Sounds Wilson; Aaaaaaaaaaardsma; Nunez; Frasor; and JP Howell III
DL: Downs
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@Martin: Drop Anderson for him.
@Shmorgie S. Board: I’d drop Anderson after tomorrow’s start if you really need saves. Otherwise, wait until Downs gets a save.
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August 24th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Sure glad I traded for Weaver.
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August 24th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Davis will get to play everyday at first base, according to Ron Washington. Blalock to the bench. Obviously, I didn’t get my sixth round production out of Chris Davis – but, if he were to have a huge month of September (ala 2008) I would have to forgive him.
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August 24th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
@Grey: Can’t bench CarGo for a week, so which of the following do you like? Snider, Robot Jones, Matt Diaz, Blanks. More typical waiver wire suspects too. I just need someone in my UTIL spot for a few days. Thanks!
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@Steve: Yeah, that sucks. Vs. a terrible team at home where he’s usually better.
@Prince: Snider for tomorrow, Diaz for the next two days.
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August 24th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
@Grey: Is the Mark Ellis party over?
Time for some Valbuena perhaps? Delwyn Young even?
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@Steve: Try Valbuena on.
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August 25th, 2009 at 11:15 am
@Grey What are the chances of Heyward and/or Smoak actually getting called up in September?
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@Jimmy Key: Slim
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August 26th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
OF’s are Wells,Cruz, Kemp (along with Lopez, Alexi Ramirez,and Zobrist having OF eligibility).
Should I drop one of them for Andrew McCutchen? I was leaning toward Wells.
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@David: Yeah, lose Wells for McCutchen.
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August 31st, 2009 at 11:23 am
Any thoughts about whether Pedro Alvarez will be called up this year? If so, does he get any reps?
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@Jesse: He’s not being called up this year according to the Pirates.
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