MLB Power Rankings 2012: Teams Whose Call-Ups Will Earn Them a Playoff Berth

Rick WeinerJun 2, 2018

Having the ability to call up prospects from the minor leagues on Sept. 1 without having to remove someone from the active roster has proven to be a wonderful thing in baseball.

For teams who are out of the playoff race, it gives them a chance to evaluate how far along in their development these youngsters are, and whether any of them are viable candidates to help the team the following season.

Some contenders get a chance to give their everyday players a break, while other contenders are hoping that one of their new additions can step up and fill a need they were unable to address prior to the trade deadline, sparking the team to late-season success and straight into the playoffs.

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Washington Nationals v Los Angeles Angels

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

We've seen it before. Without the emergence of a 20-year-old relief pitcher in September of 2002 by the name of Francisco Rodriguez, chances are that the Anaheim Angels don't embark on a run that results in them hoisting the World Series trophy over their heads for all to see.

2012's group of September call-ups will prove to be no different. Some will give hope for the future, while others will propel their teams into the promised land.

What teams stand to gain the most down the stretch from their farm system?

Let's find out.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

With Joe Blanton a total mess (1-3, 6.17 ERA), Chad Billingsley out with elbow trouble, 25-year-old Stephen Fife will take one of their spots in the rotation and shine down the stretch for the Dodgers.

Fife allowed only four earned runs in 16.2 innings of work earlier this season for the Dodgers, but he walked more batters (nine) than he struck out (seven). Back from Triple-A with improved command, Fife will replace one of the two veterans in the Dodgers' rotation and win them some much-needed games down the stretch.

Of more importance is the health of closer Kenley Jansen, who is awaiting test results from his cardiologist that could end his season (h/t LA Times).

Javy Guerra is a name that is familiar to Dodgers' fans as he was the team's closer in 2011, throwing to a 2.31 ERA while picking up 21 saves. His experience in the role will allow the Dodgers to not have to move players out of their roles in the bullpen, and his experience will prove invaluable to manager Don Mattingly.

I'm not picking the Dodgers to sneak in as a wild-card, because those spots are spoken for. The Dodgers will overtake the Giants for the National League West crown.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

Named the second-best prospect in baseball by MLB.com heading into the 2012 season, Shelby Miller had a rough go in Triple-A, spending much of the year with his ERA over five and the promise of a bright future clouded by uncertainty.

That was until the last six starts of his Triple-A season when he started mowing batters down, striking out 52 batters while issuing only four walks.

With Lance Lynn continuing to struggle after being banished to the bullpen in late August coupled with the ineffectiveness of Jaime Garcia and Joe Kelly, the time is right for Miller to step up and show that he's the future ace of the Cardinals' rotation.

He'll do just that, bringing stability to the rotation and allowing the Cardinals to hold onto the second wild-card berth in the National League.

1. Detroit Tigers

Most of the Tigers' September additions have already spent significant time in the major leagues, most notably utility players Don Kelly and Ryan Raburn. But neither of them figure to have a great impact on the Tigers' postseason hopes.

That falls on the shoulders of reliever Al Alburquerque, a key part of the Tigers' bullpen in 2011 when he went 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA and 13.9 K/9 ratio. Healthy after missing most of the season recovering from offseason surgery on his right elbow.

Outfielder Avisail Garcia will put the Tigers in a position to win as a right-handed bat off of the bench, and it's fair to say that he could push Delmon Young to the bench if he outplays the veteran down the stretch. Garcia, one of Detroit's top prospects, hit a combined .299/.333/.455 between High-A and Double-A this season.

Power Ranking the September Impact of Every Team's September Call-Ups

1. Detroit Tigers

2. St. Louis Cardinals

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

4. Washington Nationals

5. Oakland Athletics

6. Texas Rangers

7. Tampa Bay Rays

8. Baltimore Orioles

9. Chicago White Sox

10. Atlanta Braves

11. Cincinnati Reds