2014 Grades and 2015 Outlook for MLB's Top September Call-Ups
This year’s September call-ups’ brief taste of the major leagues might be coming to an end, but it goes without saying that their futures are increasingly bright.
For the better part of the last month, we’ve been highlighting the top call-ups across baseball, whether it be breaking down their early returns in the major leagues or their potential impact on the playoff races.
Today, however, we’re going to look at the very best September call-ups—specifically, prospects that appeared in our recent end-of-year top 100 prospect rankings—by assigning grades for each player’s overall season while also considering how their performances might affect their respective 2015 outlooks.
With all that being said, here are the grades and projections for Major League Baseball’s top September call-ups.
Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
1 of 5
2014 Grade: A
Daniel Norris raced through the minor leagues this season, posting a 12-2 overall record with a 2.53 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 163-to-43 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 124.2 innings (25 starts) between the High-, Double- and Triple-A levels.
The 21-year-old left-hander was especially dominant during his brief stay at Triple-A Buffalo, as he struck out 38 batters compared to eight walks over 22.2 innings and held opposing hitters to a .182 batting average.
Norris made his highly anticipated debut on Sept. 5 against the Boston Red Sox, striking out David Ortiz on a called third strike (curveball) to preserve a one-run lead.
However, after four appearances out of Toronto’s bullpen this month—he’s allowed runs in back-to-back outings—Norris makes his first major league start on Thursday, which is an appropriate way to cap his impressive season. The southpaw is replacing Marcus Stroman as he serves a five-game suspension.
2015 Outlook
With the Blue Jays out of the playoff race and Stroman banned for five games, the organization will use the opportunity to audition Norris in his natural role. Toronto will have multiple spots in its rotation to fill next season, so it wants to get a more extensive look at the left-hander against major league hitters.
The Blue Jays likely will give Norris every opportunity during spring training to win a spot in the starting rotation, though a brief return to Triple-A to refine his command is probably a more realistic scenario. Either way, Norris should spend a majority of the 2015 season in the major leagues.
Maikel Franco, 3B/1B, Philadelphia Phillies
2 of 5
2014 Grade: B
Maikel Franco overcame a rough first half at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and finally turned the corner in July, batting .324/.344/.579 with 30 extra-base hits (11 home runs) and 47 RBI over his final 54 games.
The 22-year-old third baseman’s second-half surge convinced the Phillies he was ready to be challenged at the highest level, so they called him up on Sept. 1 for the final month of the season.
Franco has collected 10 hits and plated five runs over his first 15 games in the major leagues, but his at-bats have been inconsistent overall and have produced just one walk in 55 plate appearances compared to 13 strikeouts.
His defense has been a pleasant surprise, however, as the 6’1”, 180-pounder has flashed some serious leather during his short time in the major leagues, such as this play to his left and this one to his right. He also made a nice running, over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory while playing first base.
2015 Outlook
Third base should be Franco’s position to lose next spring, though there’s a possibly the Phillies decide to deploy him in a platoon with Cody Asche. If both players surpass expectations, then the organization could also decide to use Franco at first base in a similar role.
At the same time, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies send him back to Triple-A to begin next season, even if only to have him settle in at the dish and work on his approach for a month or two.
Taijuan Walker, RHP, Seattle Mariners
3 of 5
2014 Grade: B
Taijuan Walker’s rookie campaign was disrupted by a shoulder injury suffered during his second start of the season, as it kept him off the mound until late May.
After building up his arm strength in the minor leagues, Walker made three starts for the Mariners between June 30 and July 23, registering a 3.60 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .133 batting average over 15 innings. However, the 22-year-old right-hander struggled with his control and walked (13) nearly as many batters as he struck out (14).
Walker finished the minor league regular season back at Triple-A Tacoma, where his command and effectiveness varied from start to start, and rejoined the Mariners when rosters expanded on Sept. 1.
Working out of Mariners’ bullpen after his call-up, Walker allowed one run on six hits and two walks and fanned five batters over six innings against the Oakland A’s in his first relief appearance. In his second appearance, the right-hander yielded one hit and tallied a strikeout over 1.1 scoreless frames.
Making his first start since July 23—in place of injured left-hander Roenis Elias—Walker allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Houston Astros. The right-hander struck out seven batters en route to his second win of the season.
The 22-year-old made his final start of the season on Wednesday against the Blue Jays, taking the mound in a must-win game after James Paxton and Felix Hernandez were uncharacteristically bad the previous two nights.
The outing turned out to be Walker’s best as a big leaguer, as he stuck out six batters and allowed just four hits and one walk over eight shutout innings.
2015 Outlook
A strong case can be made that Walker is the most projectable pitcher in the minor leagues thanks to his special combination of athleticism and stuff as well as his capacity to make adjustments. Walker’s shoulder injury prevented him from making a breakthrough in the majors this season, but it’s safe to say that the right-hander is primed to finally land a spot in the Mariners’ 2015 Opening Day rotation. Walker should serve as the team’s No. 3 or 4 starter next season as long as he stays healthy.
.png?w=256)
Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
4 of 5
2014 Grade: A
Pederson was named MVP of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League this season, as the 22-year-old outfielder paced the league in home runs (33), OPS (1.017), on-base percentage (.435), runs scored (106) and walks (100) while ranking second in total bases (259). He also became the first Pacific Coast League player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since Frank Demaree in 1934.
Pederson received fairly consistent playing time (at least compared to other September call-ups) after making his debut on the same day of his call-up, but the combination of his own struggles and the recent success of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford has forced him to a bench role over the last two weeks.
Though strikeouts have been a problem (30 percent strikeout rate) as expected and have hurt his batting average (.143) during his brief time in the major leagues, Pederson’s advanced plate discipline has translated to a 26.7 percent walk rate and .379 on-base percentage over in his first 30 plate appearances.
2015 Outlook
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has stated he believes Pederson is the organization’s best long-term defensive center fielder, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. However, given his ability to play plus defense at all three outfield positions, Pederson could receive consideration at all three spots as the Dodgers put together their 2015 roster.
Mattingly didn’t hesitate to get Pederson’s power/speed combo and on-base skills in the lineup after his promotion, and I think that speaks volumes about his potential to consistently crack the Dodgers’ everyday lineup next season.
Frankly, it’d be shocking if the 22-year-old isn’t in the mix for a starting spot, likely center field, heading into 2015.
Eddie Butler, RHP, Colorado Rockies
5 of 5
2014 Grade: B-
Butler posted impressive strikeout numbers in 2012 and 2013, but he suffered a significant regression in that department this year between the Double- and Triple-A levels. His three plus pitches (fastball/slider/changeup) suggest that Butler will return to his bat-missing ways in the future, but it’s still an interesting trend to follow moving forward.
Butler, 23, had a forgettable debut in early June, as he gave up six runs over 5.1 innings in a start against the Dodgers. The right-hander showed good stuff in the outing, but he still yielded 10 hits and three walks while tallying just two strikeouts. Following the game, the Rockies placed Butler on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
Though he didn’t pitch particularly well in the minors after coming off the shelf in mid-July either, the promising right-hander recently returned to the major leagues for his second start and ultimately picked up his first win after allowing one run on five hits over six innings.
2015 Outlook
Butler was poised to spend a majority of the season in the Rockies’ starting rotation before suffering the shoulder injury. Rather than rush him back to the major leagues and risk another injury, the organization kept him in a relatively controlled setting at Double-A Tulsa and allowed him to build up arm strength.
Butler still has the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter at maturity, but he’ll now have to answer questions next season about his durability and ability to miss bats. However, as long as he stays healthy and learns to work down in the zone more consistently, the right-hander shouldn’t have any problems spending the year in the Rockies’ big league rotation.
.png?w=480)
