9 prospects who could help teams down the stretch

We see it every year. September comes, and contenders across Major League Baseball get better by digging into their own farm systems, adding significant talent for the season's most important games in the form of a prospect from the Minors.

The Reds, Giants and Red Sox have already done that before the stretch run kicks off in earnest on Sept. 1 by promoting Top 100 prospects. The Reds summoned Noelvi Marte on Aug. 19 and though he’s gone 6-for-his-first-22, he’s also stolen four bases in 10 games. San Francisco promoted Kyle Harrison on Aug. 22 and watched the left-hander post a 1.86 ERA in his first two starts. The Red Sox called up Ceddanne Rafaela prior to Monday’s series opener against the Astros and saw him record a hit in his first big league at-bat.

• What to know about expanded rosters

Several other Top 100 Prospects have gotten the call this month. The Dodgers brought infielder Michael Busch back to L.A., the non-contending Cardinals decided it's time to get a long look at shortstop Masyn Winn, and the Yankees promoted top outfield prospects Everson Pereira and Jasson Domínguez looking to rectify a lost summer in the Bronx.

Most intriguing, though, are the prospects who could help contenders down the stretch. On this week's MLB Pipeline Podcast, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo identified nine such players and grouped them by their likelihood to be summoned to the big leagues. Below are those candidates who could make a difference in September ... as well as October and November.

• MLB Pipeline | Top 100 prospects | Prospect video

Likely

OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC (MLB No. 12)
The Cubs weren’t a preseason favorite to reach the postseason, but they’re right in the thick of things with a month to play, within shouting distance of the NL Central-leading Brewers and well-positioned in what’s become a six-team dogfight for the NL’s three Wild Card spots. Chicago’s roster is pretty well stocked with veteran outfielders, but Crow-Armstrong does so many things well, it’s hard to see the Cubs not finding a way to involve him in the franchise’s first meaningful September games in several years. The 21-year-old has handled himself well (.349 OBP, seven steals) following a mid-season promotion to Triple-A, and is somebody who can immediately translate the best parts of his game -- speed and outfield defense -- to the big leagues. Those are invaluable skills in big games down the stretch.

SS Marco Luciano, SFG (MLB No. 27)
Luciano debuted in late July but was only in San Francisco for four games, and when the Giants sent him back to Triple-A Sacramento, they did so with an initiative: to work on playing second base. Evaluators have long believed Luciano would need to eventually move off shortstop, and the Giants recently acquired depth at the position for the injured Brandon Crawford by picking up Paul DeJong. What they need is offense. San Francisco is in the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt despite a below-average lineup in terms of runs and homers. And while Luciano’s numbers took a step back this summer at the higher levels, his bat could certainly help the Giants down the stretch, perhaps as a utility option who can play multiple infield positions. Four of his last five starts at Sacramento have come at second base.

RHP Gavin Stone, LAD (MLB No. 83)
The Dodgers are humming along with a huge lead in the NL West and could still catch the Braves for the league’s best record, but are almost assured a first-round bye either way. Stone is already a part of that; he pitched six solid innings to beat the Red Sox for his first Major League win on Aug. 27, and has made four appearances for Los Angeles across three different big league stints this year. Everybody needs pitching come September, and he’s going to be a depth option for the Dodgers down the stretch.

Possibly

OF Colton Cowser, BAL (MLB No. 14)
Cowser struggled after making his Major League debut on July 5, hitting .115 in 61 at-bats, and got a ticket back down to Triple-A when Cedric Mullins returned from the injured list on Aug. 11. The Orioles are down an outfielder again right now with Aaron Hicks sidelined, but called upon the right-handed hitting Ryan McKenna over Cowser in his stead. It isn’t clear when Hicks might be back, but either way, the Orioles have an array of options at almost every position. And while it was reported on Thursday that Cowser is expected to be recalled on Friday, he isn’t even the only Orioles Top 100 outfielder who could help down the stretch.

OF Heston Kjerstad, BAL (MLB No. 25)
If the Orioles are handling Kjerstad cautiously, they have good reason. The No. 2 pick in the 2020 Draft missed more than two years to health problems before taking Baltimore’s system by storm in 2022. But if they’re looking to put together their best possible roster for what will be the franchise’s first postseason games in almost a decade, Kjerstad is making a case that he should be on it. He’s split this year between Double-A and Triple-A to excellent results, slashing .305/.378/.541 with 19 homers across those two levels.

3B Curtis Mead, TB (MLB No. 36)
Mead hits everywhere he goes, and there is little doubt he could handle big league pitching after posting a .372 OBP in an 11-game stint with the Rays in August. But Tampa Bay is all about roster construction and matchups, and the Rays are already carrying the versatile Vidal Bruján in a super-utility role. Mead’s lack of defensive versatility might hold back his chances of returning this year. But his offensive potential -- albeit without a true defensive home -- could have value down the stretch for the Rays, who are only two games back of the Orioles in the AL East.

3B Tyler Black, MIL (MLB No. 55)
The Brewers have already called up highly rated prospects Joey Wiemer and Sal Frelick this year, and Black hasn’t seemed overmatched since a promotion to Triple-A in early August, walking more than he’s struck out and posting a .372 OBP in 19 games for Nashville. But he’s playing mostly third base at Triple-A, and there might not be a clear lane to the Majors with Andruw Monasterio holding down the hot corner adequately in Milwaukee. That said, Black’s top tools and approach should translate pretty quickly in the bigs, and he brings defensive experience at three infield positions and two outfield spots. He could provide value to Milwaukee as a versatile bench option with some pop.

RHP Connor Phillips, CIN (MLB No. 72)
It seems like the Reds have promoted an entire team of top prospects this year, and they do need pitching help, ranking 24th in MLB in team ERA despite being right in the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt. The problem is Phillips is really struggling at Triple-A Louisville right now; he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 6 ⅔ innings across his last four starts. Phillips’ command is an issue -- he’s issued 29 walks in 34 ⅓ innings at Triple-A -- but he’s still missing more than enough bats (9.7 SO/9). The stuff will play, and it played up in his first career relief appearance on Aug 13. If the Reds do call on Phillips, it could be in that type of shorter role.

SS/3B Orelvis Martinez, TOR (MLB No. 92)
The Blue Jays believe they’ve underperformed expectations this year, and their infield has some holes heading into September with Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette landing on the injured list in recent weeks. The organization has always been aggressive with Martinez, who reached Triple-A Buffalo in late July as a 21-year-old. It’s only 33 games at the level, but Martinez does have an . 845 OPS there and experience at short, third and second base. He’s also already on Toronto’s 40-man roster.