Most anticipated MLB September 2016 call-ups

Acquired from the Rangers last year for Cole Hamels, Alfaro is having a strong season at Double-A Reading, hitting .282-12-56. His future could be at another position with fellow prospect Andrew Knapp more highly regarded defensively.

Bell got a quick look this summer during interleague play, but the Pirates could give him a much longer tryout in September. Pirates first baseman John Jaso has slumped during the second half, while Bell is hitting .298-14-59 at Triple-A Indianapolis. He's likely to be the team's opening day first baseman next season.

The 16th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Crawford has been much anticipated over the last several years. While his defense and plate discipline have held up between Double- and Triple-A this season, Crawford is hitting just .260 with six home runs. The lack of power is a concern, currently with a slugging percentage lower than his on-base percentage, but Crawford should still get a look in September.

One of the big pieces of the Rich Hill/Josh Reddick trade with the Dodgers at the deadline, Cotton has looked great at Triple-A Nashville in three starts. For the year, he has a 4.35 ERA and gaudy 10.7 K/9 in 118 innings at Triple-A. Cotton is likely to audition for a rotation spot this September as the A's look toward 2017.

Acquired from the Yankees in the offseason, Davis is a strong control pitcher who profiles well as a fifth starter. He went 9-3 with a 2.72 ERA at Double-A Pensacola this season, and Cincinnati certainly has openings in the rotation heading into next season.

An early season injury prevented De Leon's season from going as smoothly as hoped, but he's still been terrific in 13 starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 3.20 ERA and 10.9 K/9. He's been one of the most dominant pitchers in the minors since 2014 and could make a difference for L.A. during September and the playoffs.

Loaded with pitching talent in the upper minors, the Rays will get a look at several pitchers who could help them next season, including Faria. He's shown a strong ability to miss bats in the minors and has a 9.8 K/9 between Double- and Triple-A this season with a 4.24 ERA.

A former basketball player at St. John's, Garrett has become an elite prospect for the Reds this season. The lefty was promoted to Triple-A after positing a 1.75 ERA at Double-A Pensaola. Following the promotion, he has a 3.24 ERA in 50 innings for Louisville.

Guerrieri features a dominant sinker, which has helped him go 12-5 with a 3.92 ERA at Double-A Montgomery this season. His struggles to miss bats are concerning, but Guerreri's sinker should at least help as a reliever.

Colorado's most valuable return for Troy Tulowitzki from Toronto last season, Hoffman has pitched very well at hitter-friendly Triple-A Albuquerque. He has a 4.02 ERA and 9.4 K/9 in 22 starts and is likely to compete for a rotation spot in spring training next year.

San Diego's leadoff man of the future, Margot is hitting .309 with 25 steals in 106 games at Triple-A El Paso after being acquired from Boston for Craig Kimbrel during the offseason. The speedy center fielder is one of the Pacific Coast League's youngest players at age 21.

The Twins added to a strong minor league pitching crop when they acquired Mejia from the Giants at the trade deadline. He's having a very good year between Double- and Triple-A, with a 3.10 ERA in 21 starts. Mejia could be in Minnesota's rotation at the beginning of 2017.

Mendez has emerged as an elite pitching prospect this season, and the Rangers were hesitant to move him at the trade deadline. He has a 2.27 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning between three levels, including Triple-A. The Rangers will likely install him as a reliever during their playoff push.

The Yankees are now loaded with minor league talent, but Montgomery has been performing in the system since 2014. This season he's 11-5 with a 2.31 ERA between Double- and Triple-A.

Murphy lost the backup catcher job this spring, as the Rockies opted for better defense. He's still likely the organization's catcher of the future, especially considering his performance at Triple-A Albuquerque. Murphy is hitting .315-15-51 in only 66 games and has thrown out 31 percent of would-be base stealers.

Oakland is particularly loaded at third base with Ryon Healy in the majors and Matt Chapman at Double-A, but Nunez still has a chance to be the long-term answer at the position. He's hitting .242-21-70 at Triple-A Nashville this season.

Paulino has been spectacular between starting and relief at Double-A Corpus Christi this year, wtih a 1.83 ERA and 6.55 K/BB ratio. The 22-year-old right-hander will be a great weapon in relief during September.

The speedy Quinn is having a strong year at Double-A Reading, hitting .282 with 27 steals in 59 games. He could be Philadelphia's center fielder of the future.

Acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, Ramirez is a raw offensive talent who has had no problem hitting for average. He's hitting .311 at Double-A this season, but he has only two home runs and is 7-for-17 in stolen base attempts. Toronto will give him seasoning at Triple-A next season, but he could help as a role player in September.

The 13th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Renfroe's production has matched his prospect status this year. He's been tremendous at hitter-friendly Triple-A El Paso, hitting .317-27-94. Renfroe's plate discipline isn't great, but he's proved he can demolish minor league pitching.

Schultz's control is still a work in progress, but few minor league pitchers have been as dominant. He has a 3.02 ERA and 11.0 K/9 for Triple-A Durham this season and should make an immediate impact in relief.

The first overall pick in the 2015 draft, Swanson has had a good 2016 season since being traded to Atlanta for Shelby Miller. He's hitting .275-9-55 between High-A and Double-A, and could start for Atlanta sometime next year.

Rockies fans are already being impressed by David Dahl, and Tapia is another name to watch. The athletic outfielder is hitting .330-8-37 with 20 steals this season, mostly at Double-A. He's just now getting a taste of hitter-friendly Triple-A Albuquerque.

Traded from the Cubs at the deadline, Vogelbach has long been considered a future DH. The stout hitter has done nothing but hit in the minors, with a .914 OPS at Triple-A this season. Look for him to compete for DH duties next season after he gets a look this September.

Walker has tape-measure power, though there are valid questions as to whether he can handle MLB pitching. He's hit 20-plus home runs for the fourth straight season, with 24 homers in 111 games this year. He also has 175 strikeouts and has yet to show any progress with his plate discipline in the minors.