David Lough and Four Other September Call-Ups Worth Adding to Your Fantasy Team

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Most September call-ups will sit on major league benches for the last month of the season, called up to fill in as pinch runners, mop-up relievers or to give starters a day off.

However, a few youngsters have come up to find themselves in the lineup and making an impact. 

Most of these players are not worth starting. Most of them are not worth owning in standard leagues, but in deep leagues, every starter has value. Those in the midst of hot streaks have the chance to earn even more at-bats. 

At the end of the day, during fantasy playoffs, luck favors the creative.

Here are five new big leaguers who could make a significant difference when it counts.

David Lough, Kansas City Royals

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David Lough got his first call-up to the majors on September 1 and had five hits in his first three games. He is a center fielder, so he will split time with Lorenzo Cain. 

Lough had 10 HR, 26 SB and 11 triples in the minor leagues before getting the call, so he has speed and some power. Jarrod Dyson's injury opens up extra at-bats and a possible spot near the top of the order for Lough if he keeps hitting. 

Lough has played in four games since his call-up and has scored four runs. As long as Dyson is out, Lough should, at the very least, see platoon at-bats and produce when he is in there.

Brock Holt, Pittsburgh Pirates

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Shortstop Brock Holt was called up to help fill the Pirates' middle infield.

Holt hit .317 in four minor league seasons and was hitting .344 when he got the call. He has little power and 16 stolen bases, so production in other areas may be slow in coming.

In six games since being called up, Holt is batting .438 with three runs scored. He has eight hits and has started each of the last five games for Pittsburgh. There is enough power at the top of the Pirates order to create run-scoring opportunities for Holt if he continues to play well. 

Tyler Cloyd, Philadelphia Phillies

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Tyler Cloyd's entry in this list may be a little bit of a cheat.

The right-handed starting pitcher actually made his season debut on August 29, but in two starts, he has 14 strikeouts in 13 innings. In his last start, he gave up one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts and no walks. 

With the Phillies well out of contention, it stands to reason that Cloyd will keep getting opportunities as long as he performs. In 167 innings of minor league ball, Cloyd only had 6.1 K/9, so the strikeouts are not likely to continue at this pace, but the Phillies are capable of producing enough runs to get him some wins down the stretch. 

Andrew Werner, San Diego Padres

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Another late-August call-up, Andrew Werner has made three starts for the Padres.

Coincidentally, the lefty pitched exactly six innings and has given up exactly two runs in each of them. After striking out two in the first outing, Werner fanned 15 over his last 12 innings, walking just one in the process.

Werner beat the Pittsburgh Pirates at home in his debut, then lost to Atlanta at home before earning a no-decision in his last start on the road against the Dodgers.

He will likely continue to see starts since the Padres need to assess what they have in the young pitcher as they prepare for next season. 

Peter Moylan, Atlanta Braves

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Peter Moylan has made four appearances in the week since his call-up. He has yet to allow a run, but notched a win and a hold so far. With Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters, Moylan is unlikely to close any games, but in deeper fantasy leagues, he can help a team's ERA and WHIP, as well as provide some strikeouts.

Keep expectations reasonable. He had a 6.35 ERA in 22.2 minor league innings this season. His K/9 was over eight but his WHIP was 1.544.

Moylan's most useful attribute is his access to innings. In deeper leagues, those innings aiding ERA and adding strikeouts have value.