The MLB season is in the final stretch. There is less than a quarter of the season remaining, and the playoff races are in full swing. There is one more checkpoint in the regular season to reach before the playoffs: September call-ups.
On September 1, every major league roster expands from 26 to 28 men. Teams are allowed to call up one hitter and one pitcher who are on their 40-man roster. September is generally considered a time for teams to give players who are either prospects who might be ready for the big leagues or fringe roster players a try-out. Still, there is some strategy involved in the decision.
While a team that is out of the playoff hunt may opt to call up two prospects and give them some major league game time to see if they are ready for the bigs next season, teams in the playoff hunt are more calculated with their extra roster spots. For the Red Sox, it could be a chance to give Kristian Campbell another shot in The Show this season, or it could be a player who could provide extra depth and rest days for starters. Which players are the most likely to get the extra roster spot?
Predicting the Red Sox September call-ups as MLB rosters expand
Kristian Campbell
Campbell has been heating up lately. The righty was sent down to Worcester on June 20 and struggled to find his swing for about a month, but from July 19 to August 12, he hit .370 with an OPS over 1.000 in Worcester. He has played over half his games at first for the Woo Sox, and the Sox could look to give it a try in the majors in September.
Nick Sogard
Sogard has been up and down for Boston the last two seasons. While he doesn't hit the ball hard, he gets on base a lot with singles and walks. He can play all across the infield, and being a switch-hitter, allows for some lineup flexibility. Sogard is the most likely option. The Sox have plenty of outfielders already, and he would allow the Sox to give everyone across the infield needed off days before the playoffs.
Kyle Harrison
Harrison was the key piece in the Rafael Devers trade. While he isn't a prospect, the 24-year-old starter has high potential. The Sox have been reshaping his pitching arsenal in Worcester, and the vision is starting to come to fruition. He's had back-to-back scoreless outings for the Woo Sox. The real question with him is, would Boston want to call him up and potentially hurt his confidence if it goes wrong?
David Sandlin
The righty pitcher has moved from the starting rotation to a relief role during August. This has been an attempt to make him a potential weapon down the stretch. He threw in back-to-back games for the first time on August 21 and 22, which is usually a marker the front office uses to test a converted starter. Sandlin isn't currently on the 40-man roster, but is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter, and is a player most with knowledge of the Sox farm system expect to be protected. The Sox giving him a shot down the stretch seems like a likely option.