Alex Kielar | August 29th, 2019
With September looming and pennant races tightening, it’s almost time for major league rosters to expand from 25 to 40. So I am going to give you a series of articles breaking down the likely most impactful September Call-Ups for all 30 teams. Now for the National League West.
Los Angeles Dodgers: SS/2B Gavin Lux
It’s clearly World Series or bust for the Dodgers this season after losing the last two Series. Their No. 1 overall prospect in Lux could help them to get over the hump, as he has been on fire since getting the call to Triple-A on June 27. Over 46 games there, he has slashed .402/.486/.746 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI in 189 at-bats. He has plus-plus speed with the chance at having 25-25 seasons or even 30-30. He has the agility and quickness to play shortstop but has struggled at his arm strength, committing a number of errors. So second base might be more of where the Dodgers want to place him, and this September they should get solid production from him to help them get Home-Field Advantage throughout the postseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Jon Duplantier
The D-Backs have a pretty bright future with some of the trades they have made of late and their recent draft picks. One of their prospects closest to being an impactful piece to the team is Duplantier, who already made his debut on April 1 and has made eight other appearances since then. In his first appearance, he went three innings, only allowed one hit and no runs, struck out two, and picked up the save. In his other appearances, he went 24 total innings, while giving up 13 total runs (all earned) and striking out 24 and walking 12. Three of his appearances were starts, in which he went five innings his first two and three the last. Duplantier will definitely get innings for they D-Backs in September as they rebuild, either as a starter or a long-man out of the ‘pen. Either way, they will get a good look at him and their future.
San Francisco Giants: SS/2B Mauricio Dubon
Acquired from the Brewers in the Drew Pomeranz and Ray Black trade, Dubon is expected to take over as the Giants second baseman next season. Dubon is a solid hitter with speed as well, and over 123 games between the Brewers and Giants Triple-A teams, he has slashed .302/.345/.477 with 20 home runs, 56 RBI, and ten stolen bases. The Giants will get a look at what he can do this season as they fall farther out of the wild card race, and the fans should get excited about their future. He has solid hands and good arm strength which will allow him to make plays anywhere in the field, at short or second.
San Diego Padres: OF Edward Olivares
Olivares was already placed on the Padres 40-roster last offseason despite never playing above Class A Advanced, in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He made the jump up to Double-A the beginning of this season and has been pretty impressive. In 122 games in Double-A this season, Olivares has slashed .288/.357/.461 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 33 steals. He has way above average speed which helps him steal bases and have the range for all three outfield positions. He will be an exciting player to watch in September for the Padres as they look towards the future, where they are pretty promising. They have a number of pitching prospects that should do well for them within a few years and get them over the hump of the rebuild.
Colorado Rockies: LHP Ben Bowden
Bowden has the raw stuff which would give him the ability to start, but will most likely be a big part of the Rockies bullpen instead in 2020. After extremely dominating in Double-A for the Hartford Yardgoats, he started off struggling in Triple-A when he got the call. But over his last five appearances, he has only allowed a run while striking out 12 and walking three, picking up one win and one save. Getting an early look at him this season will be key to where he places in the Rockies bullpen next season, and to showcase to them what his stuff could bring.
Check out All of the Articles in the September Call-Up Series: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central
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