Atlanta Braves: Who Gets a September Call-Up for the Braves?

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 13: Touki Toussaint #62 of the Atlanta Braves walks on the field for his MLB debut during game one of a doubleheader against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

It’s almost September 1st. That means Major League rosters expand and the “September Call-Ups” take place. The Atlanta Braves are in a position, for the first time in a while, to get some meaningful use out of some extra arms and legs.

September 1st is a benchmark of sorts. For the Atlanta Braves, there has already been plenty of speculation as to whom will make the leap into the Braves clubhouse at SunTrust Park. I am fairly certain that we’ve seen pretty much everyone who will make the jump in a few days. However, there are arguments for a few others.

First, let’s go over the September roster expansions. We all know that there is a 25-man “active” roster and a 40-man roster. Basically, what this means is that everyone on the 40-man is now effectively “active” and can suit up. It rarely happens that all 40 spots are utilized by teams, but it’s not out of the ordinary for teams to carry over 30 in September.

As such, trades can still be made in September too. Although, the “deadline” in the August waiver trade “deadline” refers to the cutoff for teams to make those acquired via trade eligible for their post-season roster. So, if a deal is made, but not official until 1 September, that player can’t be added to the post-season roster, even if he’s added to the 40-man roster. That’s why we don’t have many trades for teams with post-season hopes after 31 August.

How does this affect the proverbial “clock”? I’m glad you asked.

Well, in terms of days spent on the roster, you can throw that out. Call-ups next month won’t incur a penalty for spending time on the roster once September 1st comes. However, any and all appearances will count toward the exceeding of rookie limits. So, say for instance Kyle Wright gets the call on 1 September, his roster days won’t be affected, but if he pitches more than 50 innings, he’ll lose his rookie status for 2019. The same applies for position players as well, where 130 at-bats (not plate appearances) is the threshold.

With sights set on a pennant and playoff push, I suspect the Braves will add some much-needed reinforcements come 1 September.

Who gets the call?

So, the question for the Braves becomes not so much about how many they should bring up, but who? The speculation so far has been Kolby Allard, Touki Toussaint, and guys we’ve already seen. But I think there could be a few surprises thrown in there as well. The recent promotion of Rio Ruiz to the big club, brings doubt that we will see Austin Riley next month, but you never know.

I would imagine the Braves bring back up those pitchers mentioned along with a few other players. Keep in mind, though, the Braves currently only sit with 38 players on its 40-man roster (McCarthy, if/when he is activated, will put that number at 39).

Bring up a Backstop

Almost always, when rosters expand, a third catcher is added to the fray. The Braves, though, seem to be content with just two.

Catcher has always been somewhat of an Achilles for the Braves. There’s currently no other catcher in the system on the 40-man roster. So this sort of complicates things.

With Gwinnett not really competing this season, bringing up Alex Jackson could be an option. Mississippi is in a playoff race in Double-A so I don’t think anyone will be plucked from there.

Florida is out of it and the Fire Frogs have William Contreras , but he’s a stretch for receiving a call from the Braves. Kind of makes you wonder, though, doesn’t it?

ATLANTA, GA – JULY 31: Kolby Allard #36 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the third inning of his MLB pitching debut during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

You Can Never Have Enough Pitching

Pitching is where the most additions will come. We can probably safely assume that Allard, Bryse Wilson, Touki, and Max Fried could be back in Atlanta for the last month, among others. But is there a surprise call-up in Mississippi or Gwinnett lurking about?

There is only one player listed on the 40-man down in Double-A. Ricardo Sanchez. Could the Braves really dip into rare waters by bringing up someone like Sanchez? I guess it’s possible, but I doubt Sanchez gets a call.

Of course, there’s always that guy Kyle Wright. Wright, along with Wilson, was being used out of the bullpen last week. So obviously, that’s when speculation on those two specifically began. It’s not so far-fetched to possibly see Wright and others make their way back to Atlanta for the stretch run to the post-season.

So What About Bench Depth?

More from Tomahawk Take

Well, there are two players listed on the 40-man. Those are

Michael Reed

and

Dustin Peterson

. Again, we’ve seen both of them this year in Atlanta.

I suppose there’s a chance Ryan Flaherty gets added, but his bat, since mid-May has been ice cold. I really don’t expect him back in Atlanta again. If/when depth is added I think Reed gets the call here, not Peterson.

How many get added? Only Alex Anthopolous knows for sure. Though, if you take all the pitchers, no catchers, and one bench bat in the form of Michael Reed, we’re looking at nine players being called up, possibly. That brings the total to 34 active players in September.

Next. Braves Lock Up (BackUp) Flowers for 2019. dark

All things considered, the Atlanta Braves find themselves with an embarrassment of riches down on the farm to choose from. Which riches are used is yet to be known, and we’ll know fairly soon. But being able to even talk about meaningful September call-ups and post-season rosters is a refreshing discussion we’ve been looking forward to for way, way too long!

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Atlanta Braves: Who Gets the Call-Up in September?