September 1st is an exciting time for fantasy baseballers (<–my mom’s term!). Seasons change and it’s out with the old and in with new in baseball. For us in the fantasy baseball trenches, September 1st means rosters expand and rookies are called up. Unlike the September hitter call-ups I took my magical pencil to the other day, I’d use kid gloves with these pitching call-ups. Pitchers can hurt you. If you need to take a flier on a rookie pitcher, tread carefully, young Razzball reader. Anyway, here’s some potential September call-ups to keep your eye on for fantasy baseball, the starters:
Jenrry Mejia – Was up in the beginning of the year as a reliever then was sent down to get stretched out. Hey, I’m Mr. Exposition. Not sure if the Mets will use Mejia in the majors this year as a starter, but I think they should. Not because his stuff is dynamite (nor is it bad), but I think it’s foolhardy to use a guy as a reliever then as a starter then again as a reliever. (BTW, foolhardy has no relation to J.J.) If Mejia is in the rotation in September, he’ll have matchup appeal.
Aroldis Chapman – “I love Aroldis Chapman,” February Grey. This year he’s in middle relief. Though I’d grab him in keepers immediately.
Michael Pineda – Mentioned only to say he won’t be called up this year, but you can take a flier on him in keepers for next year. Look at Stephen’s Pineda fantasy for a more in-depth look.
Yunesky Maya – About three weeks ago, I pushed Maya a little too early in one of my Buy columns. Hey, better early than late as people who have unprotected sex say. Maya’s another guy I’d definitely grab in keepers; I’d be shocked if he wasn’t in the rotation next year. For this year, I like him, but need to see how many starts he’ll get. Right now, he’s slated for only one start. Yippee-kay-whatever.
Jordan Lyles – Very young, but being promoted aggressively. In Stephen’s Scouting the Unknown about Lyles, he said, “(H)e has a ceiling of a number two starter and a baseline of a number three starter. I’d say the Astros have a pretty good prospect on their hands.” And that’s me quoting Stephen! I’d grab him in all dynasty leagues and NL-Only keepers now. I wouldn’t expect too much this year in redraft leagues.
Simon Castro – I already own him in a deep keeper. Why, you ask yourself in your library voice so no one thinks you’re talking to yourself. He’s the top arm in the Padres’ minor league system. If you need more, you haven’t been following along for the last 3 years.
Zach McAllister – I imagine he’ll be called up, but I won’t be owning him anywhere this year (and probably not next year either). Right now, he looks like a number 3 starter in his prime. At 22, he’s not in his prime.
Carlos Torres – Already called up. He’ll probably be a solid endgame sleeper next year in AL-Only leagues, if he grabs a rotation spot. In AL-Only leagues and keepers, I could definitely see grabbing him this year. He won’t be more than matchups in mixed and redraft leagues, if even that.
Zach Britton – Doubtful if he gets called up this year. He’s number 12 on the top 50 fantasy baseball prospects so could be worth a grab in dynasty leagues.
Chris Tillman – For those keeping score at home, yes, the Orioles should have a great rotation sometime in the near future. For right now, I wouldn’t touch Tillman outside of AL-Only or keeper leagues.
Tanner Scheppers – Besides his constant complaining about having to tediously carry around tchotkes in the hot sun, he has a great K-rate, but will just be in the bullpen. Could be an exciting middle man this year…. Okay, middle men aren’t that exciting. Think Feliz last year.
