Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking The Possible September Call Ups

The Injury Returners

Jimmy Nelson, Brent Suter

Both pitchers are on the 60 day IL and both are close to returning to the roster. Brent Suter just had his best rehab start yet down in Triple-A, going four innings, giving up just one hit, no runs, no walks, and six strikeouts. He’s going to get at least one more start before the minor league season ends and then we’ll likely see him back for September.

Will Suter get starts? We’ll see, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him come out of the bullpen in his first few outings back.

Jimmy Nelson is also progressing well in his return from his elbow injury. It’s been a long road for Nelson since that 2017 shoulder injury, just returning earlier this year, but he battled his command and endurance during his starts. He was demoted to the bullpen and then continued to struggle before hitting the IL.

In his last four outings, covering eight innings, Nelson has given up just one run and one hit while striking out 14 batters. While Nelson likely isn’t ready to rejoin the Brewers rotation, he could make an impact out of the bullpen in short stints before rejoining the rotation next year.

Since both pitchers are on the 60 day IL, they’ll have to be added back to the 40 man roster, meaning someone else will have to be designated for assignment for either one to return.

Call up chances: 75%

The Toss-ups

Jacob Nottingham, David Freitas, Tyler Saladino, Tyrone Taylor, Corbin Burnes

Most teams will call up a third catcher for the month of September, and the Brewers will be no different. But they’ll have a tough choice to make between Jacob Nottingham and David Freitas. Nottingham’s bat has continued to stagnate and his power has gone from his calling card, to almost nonexistent.

However, it wasn’t too long ago that Nottingham was regarded as the future behind the plate for the Milwaukee Brewers. With Yasmani Grandal‘s contract up at the end of the year, the future at that position is more important now than ever. If Nottingham isn’t ready now, will he ever be?

Meanwhile, Freitas has raked in Triple-A, posting a .386 batting average with a 1.039 OPS and 12 home runs. He’s the clear best choice offensively right now, but Freitas is also dealing with an intercostal strain. If he’s healthy, I could see Freitas getting the call over Nottingham.

Tyler Saladino stunk it up in Milwaukee earlier this season and his spot has been taken by Hernan Perez and Cory Spangenberg. Will the Brewers want more redundancy with his position skill set and lack of offensive production?

Tyrone Taylor had a huge spring training but hasn’t done well most of the season in Triple-A. However, he’s 18 for his last 35 and has raised his batting average up to .281 on the season. But with Grisham, likely Gamel, and Perez/Spangenberg, would they want another outfielder? My gut says he comes up, and won’t see much more than pinch hit opportunities.

Corbin Burnes has been a major toss up all season, really. His struggles are shocking and confusing, but he still has legit stuff. He’s recently been demoted to Double-A, and lately has been at the Brewers new, state of the art pitching lab in Arizona at Maryvale. Hopefully they have some answers for him, and if they do, we could see him back.

A dominant return for Corbin Burnes in September would do a world of good for his confidence and for the team itself during their run. Is he actually ready? It’s impossible to know right now. So it’s a toss up if he gets the call.

Call up chances: 50%

The Prospects That Might Get A Chance

Trey Supak, Troy Stokes

In 20 starts in Double-A, Trey Supak had a 2.20 ERA and looked ready to dominate the next stage of the minors. He was moved up to Triple-A, and Supak struggled mightily. In his first six starts in San Antonio, Supak has a 9.35 ERA. His WHIP has nearly doubled, and opponents are hitting .318 against him.

Supak’s most recent start was solid, giving up just three runs in four innings, but I don’t think that’s enough of a turnaround for Milwaukee to bring him up. It’s possible he gets a chance, but they might want to look at him as a 2020 addition.

Troy Stokes is part of a crowded outfield group for the Brewers, and his bat hasn’t really improved that much this year. His power numbers are down, despite power numbers being up across Triple-A this year. If the Brewers want more bodies as potential pinch hitters and want to give Stokes a chance, then he could get the call, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t.

Call up chances: 20%

The DFA candidate

Taylor Williams

If Jimmy Nelson or Brent Suter are ready to return at the beginning of September, and a 40 man roster spot is needed, I could very easily see Taylor Williams get designated for assignment to make room for them.

In his last 11.2 IP down in Triple-A, Williams has given up 16 hits and 11 runs, which is not ideal. With his recent struggles in San Antonio as well as the fact that he will be out of minor league options next year, he’s a prime DFA candidate.

Call up chances: 10%

The Milwaukee Brewers have a lot of choices for September, and they’ll more than likely call up most of their 40 man roster for the playoff push. They need as much help as they can get over the final few weeks.