While many teams have revealed at least a handful of callups already today, here are three starting pitchers that could be recalled in the coming days and make an impact for fantasy owners down the stretch:
Trevor Bauer – Arizona Diamondbacks
We have already seen the potential future ace of the Diamondbacks, though that trial run didn’t go so well (6.06 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over four starts). However, with Arizona’s season quickly slipping away, they likely will want to take a second look.
There is no obvious wholes in their rotation, even after the trade of Joe Saunders, and the rotation is already filled with fellow rookies Wade Miley, Patrick Corbin and Tyler Skaggs, though it wouldn’t surprise me if they found a way to get him a few starts (either with a six-man rotation or imposing an innings limit on one of the rookies).
I would think the team would want to put him in a position to excel, giving him a positive outlook heading into 2013. Obviously, if he gets a chance he will be worth the risk given his unlimited potential., especially in the strikeout department
Shelby Miller – St. Louis Cardinals
I feel like I am finding a reason to talk about him on a daily basis. However, of any pitcher who may get called up in September, his potential fantasy value may just be the highest. The Cardinals are in the midst of a playoff battle and can’t afford to let games get away. After Joe Kelly’s poor outing in his last start (which, coincidentally, was his return to the rotation) and back-to-back poor starts from Jaime Garcia, the team needs to do something. Lance Lynn could be an option, but he was just sent to the bullpen.
Miller, meanwhile, has been lights out a Triple-A recently with 52 K vs. 4 BB in his past six starts. He very well may give the team it’s best chance to win out the options they have to fill out their rotation. I don’t think anyone would argue that he has the most talent (prior to his poor start in ’12 he was considered one of the premier pitching prospects in the game).
I would be shocked to not see him in the next week, so make sure you are proactive in stashing him.
Jake Odorizzi – Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals starting pitchers currently sport a 5.06 ERA, fourth worst in the Major Leagues. While Odorizzi has had his issues this season, it is hard to argue that he doesn’t offer more upside than what the team is currently marching out there.
In 19 appearances in the PCL (18 starts) he has actually done extremely well with a 2.93 ERA. While you would like to see him work deeper into games, as he has thrown 107.1 innings, he had a three start stretch earlier in the month that he worked 7.0 innings a start.
An innings limit should not yet be an issue and it makes sense for the team to get him a little bit of experience this year. One of the centerpieces of the Zack Greine trade, he has a good chance of breaking camp with the team in 2013.
As long as he figures out his control (40 BB) and keeps the ball in the ballpark (12 HR), he certainly has the stuff to excel.
What are your thoughts of these three pitchers? Who is worth grabbing? Are there any other options you are eying?
