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One September call-up from each MLB club under the old rules
September means MLB rosters expand, but after the league changed the active roster rules during the 2020 COVID-shortened season, those opportunities remain far more elusive for minor league players on the fringes of the roster. Gone are the days when clubs can utilize the full depth of their 40-man rosters. Now, teams are limited to having just 28 active players on the roster.
Considering the "old September callup rules", Yardbarker's MLB writers took a look at identifying one player from each club who would have benefited from a September callup.
(Stats and records are entering play on Monday.)
AL East
Baltimore Orioles (61-76) | OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. | Every club needs speed. Just look at outfielder Chandler Simpson of the Tampa Bay Rays as an example of how speed can affect games. The Orioles have one of their own base path wreckers in Enrique Bradfield Jr., their fourth-ranked prospect who has 80-grade speed and just enough of a hit tool (.744 OPS at Triple-A) to provide a late-season jolt.
Boston Red Sox (76-62) | LHP Connelly Early | Boston has shown aggressiveness in handling its prospects in 2025 (see Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, Jhostynxon Garcia and now Payton Tolle), so it could easily employ that same approach with Early, whose 2.67 ERA across 20 games between Double-A and Triple-A has him knocking on the Fenway Park gates.
New York Yankees (76-61) | OF Spencer Jones | Once hailed as the “left-handed Aaron Judge”, Jones has been hot and cold at Triple-A this season, showing flashes of his plus-power potential as well as his struggles of yesteryear. The Yankees don’t seem to be in any rush with Jones, however, so 2026 looks to be a likelier estimate for his big league debut.
Tampa Bay Rays (67-69) | 1B/OF Tre’ Morgan | Morgan is a prototypical Rays prospect: Versatile defender with some intriguing tools, especially his 70-grade glove. Though the No. 7 prospect’s .760 OPS at Triple-A is rather pedestrian, Morgan’s ability to play both first base and outfield at a high level would suffice to merit a late-season call-up.
Toronto Blue Jays (79-58) | OF RJ Schreck | Schreck has been playing well at Triple-A, with an .869 OPS that feels worthy of a call-up to Toronto. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays have an outfield logjam with Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, George Springer and Daulton Varsho all playing well, with Myles Straw proving to be a serviceable bench outfielder. It would likely take an injury to get Schreck his first crack at the big league level this season.
-- Seth Carlson
AL Central
Chicago White Sox (49-88) | SP Noah Schultz | Regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Schultz has struggled in his first look at Triple-A but has still struck out more than a batter an inning. Getting him a taste of the majors, even in a bullpen role, could pay dividends in the future.
Cleveland Guardians (68-67) | SS Angel Genao | Despite being overshadowed by top prospect Travis Bazzana, Genao is another switch-hitting middle infielder with a plus hit tool. The Guardians' third-best prospect, according to MLB.com, has far more offensive upside than current shortstop Gabriel Arias and would still provide a solid glove.
Detroit Tigers (80-58) | IF Hao-Yu Lee | Lee, the Tigers’ seventh-best prospect per MLB.com, would provide a solid all-around hitter down the stretch. His ability to play at second, third and short, although he has not appeared at the latter since 2023, would have made Lee an intriguing addition off the bench.
Kansas City Royals (70-67) | P Shane Panzini | Panzini is not going to be found on any top prospect lists, but has a plus fastball and curve. He dominated in High-A and Double-A, showing the potential to be an interesting bullpen arm if his command can continue to improve.
Minnesota Twins (62-74) | SS Kaelen Culpepper | The door is wide open for Culpepper after the Twins’ fire sale. Their fifth-ranked prospect has more than held his own at Double-A, posting a .296/.370/.465 batting line in 238 plate appearances entering Sunday with nine homers, seven doubles and eight steals.
-- David Hill
AL West
Athletics (63-75) | SP Braden Nett | While the A’s No. 5 prospect ranks below stars like Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold, the 23-year-old Nett is in a strong position for his first taste at MLB action in 2025. The A’s, who are starved for quality pitching, would greatly benefit from Nett and fellow rookie starter Luis Morales entering 2026 with a wave of positive momentum.
Houston Astros (75-62) | SP Miguel Ullola | While the Astros are locked in a heated battle with the Mariners for the AL West title, it could make sense for the club to call up top pitching prospect (and No. 5 overall prospect) Ullola. The 23-year-old’s 70-grade fastball could allow Houston’s more established arms to rest while simultaneously building for 2026.
Los Angeles Angels (64-72) | SP George Klassen | No franchise in baseball is more aggressive at calling up its prospects. While the club’s third-ranked prospect has never pitched above Double-A, it is well within the realm of possibility that the uber-aggressive Angels give Klassen a chance to pitch in The Show.
Seattle Mariners (73-64) | C Harry Ford | The Mariners are enjoying the most prolific power season by a catcher in league history. However, Ford, a 22-year-old former top prospect who has experience at designated hitter and left field, appears ready for his first taste of major-league action.
Texas Rangers (71-67) | OF Abimelec Ortiz | Most of Texas’s top prospects are younger and have not yet debuted in Triple-A. However, the 23-year-old outfielder, who recently won Rangers Minor League Player of the Month (July) honors, is poised to establish himself as a true major leaguer.
-- Allen Settle
NL East
Atlanta Braves (62-75) | LF Jarred Kelenic | The former top prospect hasn't taken an at-bat in the majors since April and has hit only .220 across 91 Triple-A games this year. However, the Braves just lost three of four to the Phillies and appear out of the playoff race, so giving Kelenic another shot seems plausible.
Miami Marlins (65-72) | 3B Deyvison De Los Santos | The 22-year-old hasn't hit as well in 2025 as in previous seasons, such as last year’s 40-homer showing, but the third baseman is still generating much hype. For a young Marlins team that isn't contending, promoting De Los Santos to see what he has at the MLB level seems wise when assessing their tools for the future.
New York Mets (73-64) | RHP Huascar Brazoban | Despite having their best offensive month in franchise history in August, the Mets went just 11-17 due to poor pitching. To get some extra bullpen depth, they're likely to recall Brazoban, who posted an 8.38 ERA since June 2 before being demoted for the second time this season on Aug. 26.
Philadelphia Phillies (79-58) | LHP Tim Mayza | Released on Aug. 30 by the Pirates, the veteran was quickly claimed by the Phillies. Mayza’s last appearance came in April, before he was placed on the injured list with a lat strain. With a 3.85 ERA across eight seasons, Philadelphia hopes Mayza can fulfill the suspended Jose Alvarado’s role in the postseason.
Washington Nationals (53-83) | 3B Jose Tena | The 24-year-old has struggled to hit for power at the big league level and was optioned twice this season as a result. During his two Triple-A stints, he slashed .301/.400/.451 with three homers, making another opportunity for Tena likely.
-- Lauren Amour
NL Central
Chicago Cubs (78-59) | 2B/OF James Triantos | Triantos would be an ideal September call-up with his elite contact skills and dynamic speed. With 26 stolen bases and a .270 batting average, he’d bring youthful versatility to Chicago.
Cincinnati Reds (69-68) | OF Hector Rodriguez | Rodriguez earned a midseason promotion to Triple-A and has kept up his production, slashing .283/.331/.447 in 36 games. In addition to solid offense, his dependable defense would add value to a Reds team trying to make a postseason push.
Milwaukee Brewers (85-53) | C Jefferson Quero | Combining standout defense and power at the plate, Quero has posted strong numbers in Triple-A this season. While William Contreras remains one of the hottest hitters in MLB, Quero’s defensive prowess would make him a valuable September addition to give Contreras rest behind the plate before an expected postseason berth.
Pittsburgh Pirates (61-77) | LHP Hunter Barco | Barco has quietly dominated in Triple-A this season, with a 3.90 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 67 innings. With the recent call-up of Bubba Chandler succeeding early in the majors, it suggests what Barco could provide under the old rules.
St. Louis Cardinals (68-70) | SS JJ Wetherholt | Cardinals No.1 prospect Wetherholt is slashing .331/.423/.620 with nine home runs and 21 RBI in 36 games in Triple-A this season. Though his MLB debut is projected for 2026, a September stint would offer a glimpse of the future in St. Louis.
-- Taylor Bretl
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks (68-70) | RHP Taylor Rashi | The 29-year-old Rashi saw action in one game this season, registering a three-inning save for Arizona in his MLB debut on August 28. He was optioned back to Triple-A the next day, but he has already shown he could be a plus for the Diamondbacks' bullpen.
Colorado Rockies (39-98) | OF Zac Veen | The Rockies have a logjam of outfield prospects, including Veen, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft. The 23-year-old struggled in his short MLB time earlier in the season (hitting .118 in 34 at-bats), but would he fare better now after working on some swing adjustments in Triple-A?
Los Angeles Dodgers (78-59) | OF Esteury Ruiz | Acquired from the Athletics in April, Ruiz would bring an element of speed to the Dodgers, giving them one of the premier pinch runners in the game. With 52 stolen bases and a .306 batting average for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, Ruiz has the potential to be a difference-maker.
San Diego Padres (76-61) | RHP Ron Marinaccio | The 30-year-old right-hander has bounced between San Diego and Triple-A El Paso plenty this season. When he’s been with the Padres, however, he has pitched well, striking out five in 4.2 innings and not allowing a run while scattering just two hits.
San Francisco Giants (68-69) | OF Grant McCray | McCray posted a 2-for-20 line this season in 10 August games with San Francisco, going 0-for-14 before being sent back to Triple-A on August 21. The 24-year-old has shown power and potential in Sacramento this season with 15 homers and 71 RBI and could benefit from more time with the Giants.
-- Kevin Henry
More must-reads:
- Mariners promote top catching prospect
- Veteran catcher opts out of Brewers deal
- The 'Active 20-home run MLB seasons' quiz
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