Article: Potential September Call Ups: Non-Roster Players

[Shane Wahl]

I would call up Pinto as emergency catcher instead of using a 40-man spot on Fryer again. I would call up Berrios because that should have been done one or two weeks ago. I would call up Beresford to reward him for toiling away in this system, and to show him off to other teams in need of second base help next year. I would consider Hamburger too.

 

Making 40-man room is easy to do. Wheeler has no business being on it, for instance.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Pinto hasn't played catcher since June 9th, and I'm not sure they want him to yet this season.  (His bat has yet to heat up either, dating back before his DL stint too)

 

Obviously if it's just for emergency purposes, it probably doesn't matter, but given our catching options, I think this team could afford a non-emergency 3rd catcher under expanded rosters, simply so they could be aggressive with pinch-hitting.

 

Basically, when Suzuki gets an off day, you could pinch hit for Herrmann in a key spot in the 5th inning and then insert Fryer, keep Suzuki rested and leave open the possibility of pinch-hitting for Fryer later in the game too if necessary.

Edited August 31, 2015 by spycake

[nicksaviking]

I know Fryer is going to be re-added to the 40-man but I wish he wouldn't.  Pinto should get the call, he would be the emergency catcher and just like 99.9% of all games, the 3rd catcher is not going to be needed to catch. 

 

With expanded rosters, Suzuki and/or Herrmann should never have to be called upon to pinch-hit, leaving whichever one that is on the bench as an emergency catcher. A third catcher would only be needed if both of them happened to get injured or pinch-hit for, everyone should be OK taking those odds.

[stringer bell]

 

How many do teams typically call up? They can go to the full 40, but does anyone ever do that?

Short answers: It varies. No. I have seen teams go with as many as 35 players. That is a lot, but extra relief guys and specialists can be used when there isn't room during the regular season.

[TRex]

 

I know Fryer is going to be re-added to the 40-man but I wish he wouldn't.  Pinto should get the call, he would be the emergency catcher and just like 99.9% of all games, the 3rd catcher is not going to be needed to catch. 

 

With expanded rosters, Suzuki and/or Herrmann should never have to be called upon to pinch-hit, leaving whichever one that is on the bench as an emergency catcher. A third catcher would only be needed if both of them happened to get injured or pinch-hit for, everyone should be OK taking those odds.

<with tongue firmly in cheek>

Instead of having the concussed Pinto be our emergency third catcher, why don't we have the concussed Mauer instead? Sano needs time at third, and Plouffe is doing well at 1st! Imagine this lineup:

Hicks

Dozier

Mauer

Sano

Vargas

Plouffe

Rosario

Escobar

Buxton

Maybe we could bench Suzuki and just play Joe full-time at catcher!

 

I agree with sc in that I would like a third catcher that actually gets some regular use (i.e. when the C spot is pinch-hit for). Minor detail, but I would imagine that the third catcher will also be needed to catch bullpen sessions for the extra pitchers the team will carry in September. If you really don't want Pinto catching the rest of the year, you might also not want him catching BP.

[Seth Stohs]

 

How many do teams typically call up? They can go to the full 40, but does anyone ever do that?

 

I would say it's typically 5-6, with some plus-minus for some teams. 

[sane]

If you really don't want Pinto catching the rest of the year, you might also not want him catching BP.

There is almost zero danger in catching a bullpen, unless a "stand-in" batter does something stupid, resulting in a foul tip.

[tobi0040]

My list:

 

Berrios to the rotation.

 

Fryer just so we can pinch hit (we should be able to now though)

 

Chargois - throw him in the pen. 

 

Walker - After the season is over in AA, who better to put in the bottom of the 9th, down 3 runs with two runners on and 2 outs?

[tobi0040]

 

There is almost zero danger in catching a bullpen, unless a "stand-in" batter does something stupid, resulting in a foul tip.

 

I think part of the rehab process is removing yourself from the game altogether and give your brain a break.  Even catching without fear of a foul tip may go against that advice.

[Shane Wahl]

I bet that those called up are:

 

Jose Berrios

A.J. Achter

Michael Tonkin

Kennys Vargas

Danny Santana

Eric Fryer

 

And that's it.

[mikelink45]

Berrios should get three innings and a plane ticket to join the Twins.  Arcia, Walker, and Vargas would get my nomination. Potential on the bench is worth something and calling them up does not hurt anything.  Third catcher is something that our current list does not really give us except Fryer.  Another relief pitcher and that is all I can see.  

[Seth Stohs]

 

Berrios should get three innings and a plane ticket to join the Twins.  Arcia, Walker, and Vargas would get my nomination. Potential on the bench is worth something and calling them up does not hurt anything.  Third catcher is something that our current list does not really give us except Fryer.  Another relief pitcher and that is all I can see.  

 

I kind of anticipate something like this will happen (referring to the Berrios part, not the Walker/Arcia part), where Berrios will be limited to like 50-60 pitches.

[amjgt]

Berrios since the MLB All-Star break

 

8 games

54 IP

1.62 ERA (11 ER)

0.77 WHIP (38H, 9 BB)

61 K (10.17 K/9)

 

 

[amjgt]

If he hadn't had that blowup 7th inning a couple starts ago, those numbers would be COMPLETELY ridiculous. 

[drjim]

 

I bet that those called up are:

 

Jose Berrios

A.J. Achter

Michael Tonkin

Kennys Vargas

Danny Santana

Eric Fryer

 

And that's it.

 

Agree with this list. That's all the Twins need. Listening to Molitor/Antony on Sunday it seemed they wanted a 3rd catcher, pinch runner, pop off the bench and some arms. This fits.

 

Hicks will be back in a few days too.

Edited August 31, 2015 by drjim

[amjgt]

Someone said it earlier in the thread, but why would you call up Fryer when you can call up Pinto?

 

The 3rd catcher is only there to provide a safety net in case something strange happens in a pinch hitting situation, so why not bring up the guy who would have potential other value besides being the emergency catcher?

[drjim]

 

Someone said it earlier in the thread, but why would you call up Fryer when you can call up Pinto?

 

The 3rd catcher is only there to provide a safety net in case something strange happens in a pinch hitting situation, so why not bring up the guy who would have potential other value besides being the emergency catcher?

 

Because for the rest of the season Pinto (rightly) isn't going to be allowed to perform the most basic function of a third catcher. 

 

Might as well make Mauer the third catcher.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Not only that, but the Twins don't need an emergency catcher. They need actual catchers they can aggressively pinch hit for if they come up with men on base (particularly on Suzuki's off days).

[DaveW]

What is the point of even having Berrios pitch even one inning tonight? If you are going to call him up tomorrow, why even risk it?

[Danchat]

 

What is the point of even having Berrios pitch even one inning tonight? If you are going to call him up tomorrow, why even risk it?

Probably because they aren't going to call him up at all...

 

Sigh...

[Cychotic]

 

What is the point of even having Berrios pitch even one inning tonight? If you are going to call him up tomorrow, why even risk it?

Maybe TR wants to see how strong he looks late in the game to determine if he'll be joining the Twins in a starter or relief role?

[stringer bell]

I hadn't really considered Hamburger, but he has been excellent since some early batterings.

 

Regarding a third catcher, I've been hoping the Twins would make a trade for someone, anyone who can, you know, both catch and hit, bonus points if they can throw out somebody once out of three chances.

 

On Berrios, it seems that all are convinced that he will be an improvement. I don't think it's a guarantee that is actually the case. I'm sure we are undervaluing the necessary roster moves and overvaluing any contribution Berrios would make, but if the club wants to gain ground a secure a wild card a chance should be taken.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Not only that, but the Twins don't need an emergency catcher. They need actual catchers they can aggressively pinch hit for if they come up with men on base (particularly on Suzuki's off days).

A great point, one that doesn't get enough consideration.

 

Why call up Pinto as a third catcher when you can call up an actual third catcher and pinch-hit with guys like Vargas, Arcia, Kepler, or Walker? Not that I think most of those guys will get the call but if you have an extended September bench, who is playing as "third catcher" is going to be less important than the no-position mashers you have riding the pine.

[Twins Twerp]

What are Tyler Jay's chances of being added to the 40?  

[sane]

What are Tyler Jay's chances of being added to the 40?

So close to zero, just round it off to zero.

[sane]

I hadn't really considered Hamburger

If you don't want to pay for steak,........

[sane]

Berrios pitched six innings tonight for Rochester, if that answers anybody's questions

[Shane Wahl]

Obviously, there is no way they are adding Berrios to the team. Truly, truly amazing.

[BoomBoom]

ABW II - WORTH A FLYER FOR 1 MONTH

 

MR. CONSISTENCY &  MR. DURABLE

2013 - 27 HRs and 109 RBI - 31 Doubles
2014 - 25 HRs and 95 RBI - 19 Doubles
2015 - 29 HRs and 101 RBI - 30 Doubles

Averaging 10 stolen bases per season
Averaging 77  runs scored per season
Averaging .232 for his ISO
Averaging  122 for his wRC+
Averaging  360 for his wOBA
Averaging 131 games per season

Edited September 1, 2015 by BoomBoom

[Shane Wahl]

Boom Boom, I am lukewarm about Walker getting an opportunity this September. I mean, it isn't going to happen, but I don't know if I think it should either. But I will say that I think Walker could learn something from watching Sano and Mauer every day.