A Prospect from Each MLB Team That Could Be in Line for a September Call-Up

It's getting close to the end of the season and even though it's only August, I'm clamoring for September so I can get a glimpse at some of the talent that the future has to offer. I know it's early, but I'm an Orioles fan, so I don't have much else to look forward to.

There will likely be some players that make their first trip to the majors and some that have been there before and have fought their way back. I'll admit right now that some of these guys aren't technically prospects. I sprinkled in a couple that are just young players and a couple that might have just passed prospect status this year, but they're all pieces for the future.

Here are 31 young players (one team has two) that might get a chance to live in luxury in the bigs for the final month of 2011.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Trevor Bauer, P

Considering Trevor Bauer has only pitched in three games in his professional career (at Single-A), it would seem like a longshot that he would make it all the way to the majors by September. It is actually more likely than you would think.

Bauer, the third overall pick in this year's draft, is a highly touted right-handed pitcher with a ton of upside. At just 20 years old, he won the Golden Spikes Award for being the best collegiate player in 2011. He projects to be a starter for the Diamondbacks in the future, but could push his way into the bullpen for the end of the season.

The incredible stats and mid- to high-90s fastball will do wonders for the Diamondbacks' pen. He has been filthy in just nine innings, striking out 17 batters while walking just four. He's probably just getting his strength back up since he had a long time off, but when he is ready, he could blow away the National League. I could see him following the path of David Price, from closer in September to ace in April.

Atlanta Braves: Julio Teheran, P

Julio Teheran has been one of the best pitchers in the minors this year at just 20 years old and is doing it at Triple-A Gwinnett.

The young future ace is 12-2 with a 2.16 ERA with over 100 strikeouts and limited walks. He got a couple of big league starts and struggled a little with pitching deep into games. He has returned to the minor leagues and walked all over hitters.

Teheran's top prospect teammates Mike Minor and Arodys Vizcaino are in the majors now, so it's really only a matter of time for Teheran. He is only at around 120 innings at this point and will probably be around 140 or 150 by the end of the year. The Braves may want to get him some more innings in the majors to build up his endurance and give him a taste of the stretch run.

Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Adams, 2B

Ryan Adams had a quick nine-game stint in the majors when Brian Roberts hit the DL, but he has hit very well for Norfolk and is on the 40-man roster, so he'll probably be added in September as depth.

Adams has played second this year, but is still without a true defensive position. With playing time in September, Adams might hit his way into the plans for 2012. Brian Roberts has barely played over the last two seasons and Robert Andino has not been very good, so the job could be Adams' to win.

Boston Red Sox: Kyle Weiland, P

Weiland got to start a pair of games against the Orioles earlier in the season due to injuries, but acquisitions have given the Red Sox enough depth in the rotation that they don't need Weiland for now.

Erik Bedard has struggled with injuries and John Lackey has been awful this year. Using Weiland in September would allow the veterans to get some rest before the playoffs.

Chicago Cubs: Brett Jackson, CF

Brett Jackson has only been at Triple-A Iowa since the Futures Game, but he has impressed since the promotion. He has shown power and speed and could be a great asset for the Cubs.

Jackson is a superb defender and is the future of the Cubs outfield. Now that Fukudome is gone, the outfield depth would be great for the struggling team. Marlon Byrd could move to right since Tyler Colvin has been awful at the plate.

Chicago White Sox: Dayan Viciedo, RF

Viciedo is a very powerful hitter that is ready for the majors. He almost joined the team in July because Carlos Quentin's name was bandied around in trade talks.

Viciedo played 38 games in 2010, mostly at third, but is now in the outfield to allow Brent Morel to play at the hot corner. He hit .308 and hit five home runs, but struck out a little too much and only drew two walks. He still needs to work on his patience, but the power is there to be a part of the White Sox. He would be a major upgrade over Adam Dunn at DH against left-handed pitchers.

Cincinnati Reds: Devin Mesoraco, C

Devin Mesoraco has been ready for the majors for a while, but the Reds have decided to stick with Ramon Hernandez because he has been hitting well this season.

If I were the Reds, I would have dealt Ramon Hernandez at the deadline and just called up Mesoraco then. The Reds don't really have a shot at the postseason, so it would be in their best interest to get rid of Hernandez, who is in the last year of his deal.

The one obstacle for Mesoraco is that he isn't on the 40-man roster, but he will likely have to be added anyway in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Calling him up would allow him to settle in during the low-pressure final month, so he can get right into the 2012 season.

Cleveland Indians: Cord Phelps, 2B

Cord Phelps got a taste of the majors earlier in the season and struggled to adjust to the pitchers, but with the trade of Orlando Cabrera, the Indians need some depth in the infield.

Phelps is on the 40-man roster and hitting very well at Triple-A Columbus, so a call-up is almost definite.

Colorado Rockies: Wilin Rosario, C

Wilin Rosario is only at Double-A now, but the 22-year-old catcher is getting great reviews in Tulsa and has shown pretty good power.

Chris Ianetta is struggling and Rosario is on the 40-man roster, so a brief look into the future behind the plate for the Rockies could be in the cards.

Detroit Tigers: Jacob Turner, P

At just 20 years old, Jacob Turner got the call for his first career start on July 30 and impressed with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings. He allowed just two runs, but was sent back down to the minors because Doug Fister was acquired the same day.

It's clear that the Tigers think very highly of their 2009 first-round draft pick. He made the jump from Double-A to the big leagues in just his second professional season out of high school. After his trip to the show, he was sent back down, but promoted in a way because he went to Triple-A Toledo instead of going back to Erie.

Turner will be a big part of the Tigers rotation in the near future, but could come out of the bullpen in September.

Florida Marlins: Matt Dominguez, 3B

The Florida Marlins wanted more than anything for their future third baseman to make the team out of spring training because he is a fantastic defender, but he struggled to hit and then got injured.

Dominguez came back and still hasn't been terrific with the bat, but he may get his chance now that Omar Infante is injured. Emilio Bonifacio could move to second to make room for Dominguez and the Marlins could give Dominguez a chance to learn from the veterans.

Houston Astros: Brett Wallace, 1B and Chris Johnson, 3B

I said that I would cheat a little and have some young players that aren't really prospects, so don't get mad at me for including these guys.

Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace were sent down just a week ago in a shocking move for the Astros. The two were both in their first full seasons in the majors, but were the starting corner infielders, albeit for the worst major league team.

Wallace started the year off hitting very well, but fell off and had not been doing well lately. Johnson never really found his stroke, so he wasn't really a surprising demotion. I consider myself pretty well-versed in the rosters of each team, but the lineup for Houston now features some guys that I have never even heard of.

Both Wallace and Johnson were given a specific set of things to work on as they finish the Triple-A season. Once the season is done for Oklahoma City on September 5, they should return to the majors.

Kansas City Royals: Lorenzo Cain, CF

Lorenzo Cain made his major league debut in 2010 in July for the Brewers and was really impressive offensively and defensively. He looked like the future in center field for Milwaukee, but was one of the main pieces in the Zack Greinke deal and got stuck behind Melky Cabrera in Kansas City.

Cain has dominated Triple-A this year and is part of a terrific core of young players for the Royals. With Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer already in the majors, Lorenzo Cain is just the next in line for the exciting, young Royals team.

Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout, CF

The league's top prospect flew into the majors at just 19 in July and was finally humbled, but flashed the potential to be one of the next superstars in the league.

Mike Trout is a true five-tool player and one of the only guys that has drawn close to Bryce Harper-like hype. He is still working on the power, but has incredible speed and extra base ability. In 79 minor league games, Trout has 30 steals and an amazing 13 triples.

Trout's inclusion on the 40-man roster should allow him to gain a chance in September.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Jerry Sands, LF

Jerry Sands was given a chance early in the season in left field for the Dodgers, but struggled to adjust to big league pitchers and was sent back down to the minors.

The Dodgers still struggle in left. Tony Gwynn, Trent Oeltjen and Juan Rivera have not hit well enough to lock down the spot. Gwynn is the best fielder, so he is at the top of the depth chart in left field. Jerry Sands is back to raking in the minors and possesses the most power of all of their options. He will likely get another chance in September to push for a 2012 roster spot.

Milwaukee Brewers: Mat Gamel, 3B

Mat Gamel has been called up to the majors many times in his young career, but has never hit well enough to stick.

This season in the minors has been terrific for Gamel, with an OPS approaching 1.000 and over 20 home runs. Unfortunately, his major league OPS is just .302.

The Brewers are running into an issue because Prince Fielder is likely going to leave after the season and they will be empty at first base. Mat Gamel is an option for the future and they may want him to get some experience to ease their hunt in the offseason for a new first baseman.

Minnesota Twins: Trevor Plouffe, 2B/SS

When I looked into the Twins organization, I was surprised to see that they really don't have anyone pushing for the majors. I first thought that their top prospect, Kyle Gibson, might push for a bullpen spot, but he is hurt. Then, I looked at Anthony Slama, who has had a great season at Triple-A Rochester, but he is dealing with a similar arm injury. Both pitchers probably need Tommy John surgery, so that takes them completely out of the picture.

Instead of those two, I had to go with Trevor Plouffe. Plouffe has bounced back and forth between the majors and minors (most recently getting sent down today), resulting in only 89 games played this season, with only 51 at Triple-A. That said, whenever he is at Rochester, he crushes the ball all over the place.

Plouffe's time with the Twins has been pretty unsatisfying. He has every opportunity to take a starting spot because the options right now are pretty weak in Minnesota, but Plouffe hasn't stepped up. When he inevitably rejoins the team, he could lock it in again.

New York Mets: Fernando Martinez, RF

Fernando Martinez is a guy just like Mat Gamel, in that he is talented and was highly touted, but has never been able to show it off in the majors.

Martinez is still just 23 years old and developing, but right now could be a turning point. Carlos Beltran is gone in right and Lucas Duda has taken over the position, but September could be Fernando Martinez's chance to steal that spot.

New York Yankees: Jesus Montero, C

With Jorge Posada being told that he will receive fewer at-bats at DH, the left-handed Eric Chavez will begin to take over the spot in the lineup. The Yankees have an alright potential platoon at DH with Chavez and Andruw Jones, but they want an upgrade.

Jesus Montero is highly touted for his bat, but knocked a little for his catching ability. He is seen as the future at DH for the Yankees and he will likely get the call in September, if not in August.

Oakland Athletics: Chris Carter, 1B

Chris Carter has never hit for average in the minors, but has incredible power. In his brief stays in the majors, he has not hit well and the power never showed up.

Carter hasn't played much this year, but has 10 home runs at Triple-A Sacramento and could be some depth for Conor Jackson. Carter needs the opportunity to reestablish himself as a power threat in the Oakland lineup and will likely get a call-up in September, although playing time may be sparce with Conor Jackson and Brandon Allen at first.

Philadelphia Phillies: Domonic Brown, RF

Domonic Brown would be starting in the majors right now had it not been for the acquisition of Hunter Pence. He is still a terrific player that will eventually be something special for the Phillies, but the offense wasn't quite there and he still hasn't become comfortable with the changes he made to his swing.

Raul Ibanez is fragile and old, so a little rest in September could do wonders for him in preparation for the postseason. For that reason, I think Brown will get some looks in left field instead of his normal right. He will likely have to move there anyway because Pence will be in right for at least another couple years.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Daniel Moskos, P

Daniel Moskos is having an alright year this year pitching between Triple-A Indianapolis and the Pittsburgh Pirates this year. He was in the majors from late-May to mid-June, but ironically was sent down to the minors right when Matt Wieters, the player taken one pick after him in the 2007 draft, travelled to Arizona for the All-Star game.

Moskos has infuriated Pirates fans because it's pretty ridiculous that they woud take a relief pitcher fourth overall when Wieters was right there to be taken, but he is a pretty good pitcher. He will likely finish the year at Triple-A and then go right back to the Pirates for the final month.

San Diego Padres: Anthony Rizzo, 1B

After the Padres acquired him in the Adrian Gonzalez deal from the Red Sox, Anthony Rizzo raked at Triple-A and drove in runs left and right before getting the call. He did an alright job drawing walks (despite clearly looking back at the catcher to steal signs at times) but never got comfortable hitting, batting just .143 in 35 games before getting sent down in favor of Kyle Blanks.

Rizzo is back to dominating Triple-A, with an unreal OPS of 1.151 with 22 home runs and 86 RBI. He is ready to come back and will likely get that chance again.

San Francisco Giants: Brandon Crawford, SS

Brandon Crawford is, yet again, a guy that got called up with an opportunity to stick, but struggled too much and was sent back to the minors.

For the Giants, any middle infielder already has the inside track to stick around because they are so weak. The Opening Day lineup featured Miguel Tejada and Freddy Sanchez, but both players are on the disabled list and they have poached Jeff Keppinger and Orlando Cabrera to try to regain some offense.

Crawford and Emmanuel Burriss will get some opportunities in September. Crawford has the average and power in the minors that may allow him to latch on for a while.

Seattle Mariners: Alex Liddi, 3B

The Mariners are clammoring for a third baseman that can hit. They have trotted out the poor-hitting Chone Figgins, but he is one of the worst hitters in the majors, with an OPS of just .484. The Mendoza line may soon become the Figgins line if he isn't careful

The current third baseman in Seattle is verteran utility infielder Adam Kennedy, who is just hitting well enough to hang onto a roster spot. Liddi would be a huge upgrade in offense.

The two-time Futures Game participant and Team Italy infielder in the World Baseball Classic looks ready to perform at the big league level. He hasn't hit for a great average, but has blasted 25 home runs at Triple-A Tacoma. If the Mariners can live with the strikeouts, he could see time alongside fellow rookies Dustin Ackley and Trayvon Robinson in September.

St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Carpenter, 3B

The Cardinals don't really have any guys in the minors that are pushing hard for a callup, but Matt Carpenter couldn't hurt.

Carpenter would be perfect depth for the Cardinals, who have the oft-injured David Freese at third. Carpenter could be a valuable piece to spell Freese and keep him fresh if they can make the postseason.

Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Moore, P

It's probably a longshot for the Rays' top prospect to get a chance this year in the majors, but he is doing everything he can to convince the executives he deserves a shot.

Matt Moore spent most of the season at Double-A Montgomery, but has since been promoted to the Durham Bulls. In four starts for Durham, he is 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 39 strikeouts with just five walks in 24.2 innings.

Moore has dominated the minors this year and his numbers show it. He is fourth in the minors in ERA, second in strikeouts and third in both WHIP and BAA. He is probably the best starter currently in the minors and could get to try his hand at dominating the majors soon as well. Alex Cobb's season-ending injury should also speed up Moore's timetable.

Texas Rangers: Leonys Martin, CF

The Texas Rangers only signed Martin in April as an international free agent from Cuba. He was signed to a major league deal, so he was placed on the 40-man roster, which makes me think that he could get a chance in September.

Martin has flown through the minors this year and is now at Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers have said in the past that they would like Josh Hamilton to play left field, so Martin solidifying center field could allow the Rangers to do so.

Martin hasn't blown people away with his hitting at Triple-A, but he has only played 58 games in the minors, so the Rangers could use September as a chance to extend his year.

Toronto Blue Jays: P.J. Walters, P

The Blue Jays already called up their star prospect at Triple-A when Brett Lawrie joined the team in Baltimore, but another prospect that made his Blue Jays debut against the Orioles could see some time in the bullpen in September.

P.J. Walters was acquired in the blockbuster deadline deal that sent Edwin Jackson to the Cardinals. Walters came with Colby Rasmus and others to Toronto and pitched in one game before getting sent down to the minors to start for the Las Vegas 51s.

Walters got rocked in his last start, but has been mostly good. He could be a good bullpen pitcher for the Blue Jays since a few of their relievers could be dealt on waivers.

Washington Nationals: Atahualpa Severino, P

The Nationals actually called up Severino a few weeks ago, but he was sent back down before ever making his career debut. In fact, the same thing happened in 2010 when he was called up for three days but never pitched.

Severino is a solid situational lefty. He sometimes struggles with command, but gets outs on a regular basis. He seems to work his way out of trouble because he does let guys on, but only has a 2.78 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse. This September, Severino might finally see some action.