Detroit Tigers: Predicting September call ups

Buck Farmer

Farmer was outstanding in his first two starts for the Detroit Tigers in 2017.

Stepping into the rotation, the starter threw 13 innings, striking out 16 while surrendering just six hits, three walks and no runs against the White Sox and Angels.

While those starts were exceptional, the right-hander’s next two outings were anything but.

All told, Farmer threw 4.2 innings in starts against Tampa Bay and Arizona, allowing 14 hits, 13 runs, five home runs and a walk.

If Anibal Sanchez and Daniel Norris are still sidelined, Farmer stands out as a candidate to step into the rotation.

Myles Jaye

Another potential rotation candidate, Jaye has pitched to a 3.67 ERA in nine starts (49 innings) for Toledo.

The 25-year-old has also added a 4.04 FIP, a 1.53 WHIP and 6.24 strikeouts per nine innings. In addition to potentially starting down the stretch, Jaye also could fit into the rotation picture next year.

Jeimer Candelario

Perhaps the most obvious name on this list, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Candelario receive significant playing time at the hot corner upon his arrival.

Arguably Detroit’s best position player prospect, Candelario has already made his Tigers debut, collecting a hit and a runs scored in two plate appearances in Pittsburgh.

The third baseman could take over at third base for the foreseeable future if Nicholas Castellanos’ move to right field becomes permanent.

Blaine Hardy

Blaine Hardy hasn’t been as steady of a reliever this season as he was early on his career when he notched a 2.87 ERA in 100.1 innings split between 2014 and 2015.

The southpaw was solid in 25.2 innings last season (3.51 ERA, 4.00 FIP), but has struggled mightily this year.

Both his ERA and FIP in the Majors are north of 6.00 at 6.05 and 6.09 respectively.

Hardy has been much better with Toledo in 2017, logging a 1.78 FIP in 37 frames for the Mud Hens.

If he can pitch effectively in the Majors again, he’d give the Tigers another southpaw in the bullpen.

With Justin Wilson now in Chicago, Daniel Stumpf is the now team’s lone left-hander who isn’t a long reliever.

Adding Hardy would certainly help.

Jairo Labourt

Speaking of adding left-handed relievers, adding Jairo Labourt to the bullpen would give the Detroit Tigers a potentially dynamic arm late in games.

Still just 23-years-old, Labourt came to the Tigers as the third pitcher in the David Price trade.

The hurler throws a blazing fastball and a promising slider.

So far, the ex-Toronto farmhand owns a 1.93 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18.2 Triple-A innings. He’s walked 20 in that span, but the stuff is there for him to be successful in the Majors.

Kyle Ryan

We move back to the left-handed reliever portion of the article with Kyle Ryan, who struggled mightily early with the Detroit Tigers, but has rebounded somewhat with Toledo.

After allowing nine hits, seven walks and five runs in 5.2 innings for the Tigers, the southpaw has pitched to a 4.28 ERA in 40 innings at the minors’ highest level.

What is perhaps most encouraging is that Ryan has upped his strikeout rate significantly.

With 4.9 punch outs per nine innings in his Major League career, the 26-year-old doesn’t exactly a ton of bats.

However, he’s striking out 7.9 batters per nine innings with Toledo this season.

If that holds, it would be a career high—at any level—for Ryan.

Jim Adduci

Adduci has already made an impact with the Detroit Tigers in limited action this season.

The outfielder is sporting a 0.2 WAR, a 92 wRC+, a .312 wOBA, 14 runs scored and 10 RBI in 93 plate appearances.

With JaCoby Jones and Alex Presley predominantly manning the third outfield spot not occupied by Justin Upton and Mikie Mahtook, it will be interesting to see where Adduci’s at-bats come.

Next: Yes, really, the Tigers' defense will improve

He’ll likely serve as a pinch hitting and pinch-running option for manager Brad Ausmus, while also seeing some starts in right field.