Detroit Tigers: Predicting September call ups

Detroit Tigers players will get some reinforcements next month as September call ups make their way to the Majors. Here’s a look at the players the Tigers could call up from the minors.

Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen the season many expected so far. The Tigers traded away a few veterans and are currently buried in the standings.

However, the team still looks competitive, What’s more reinforcments will be incoming when the calendar turns to the month of September.

Each September, rosters around the league expand so teams can call up additional players who are already on the 40-man roster.

This year, the Tigers could call up a number of Majors-ready players considering how often the team has dipped into the minors for depth before.

A number of familiar faces could return to Detroit, while some prospects could make their Major League debuts.

It is likely too early for the likes of Christin Stewart, Mike Gerber and Beau Burrows to debut—all three are currently with Double-A Erie—but a few of the team’s better pitching prospects could debut in September.

Here is a look at seven different players currently on the 40-man roster who the Detroit Tigers could call up come September.

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.