5 Blue Jays players that are most deserving of being September call-ups
Who will the Blue Jays call up when rosters expand on Sept. 1?
![Spencer Horwitz, Toronto Blue Jays v Miami Marlins](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3401,h_1913,x_0,y_794/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/39/01h7gg46jfxbcmfrqzp9.jpg)
The dog days of summer are flying by. We're only three weeks from September and the final stretch run to the MLB postseason. That means we only have three weeks left to speculate and debate who the Toronto Blue Jays should call up when rosters expand on Sept. 1.
As a reminder, gone are the days of expanded rosters when teams could call up as many 40-man players as they liked to help with the final push to the playoffs. Now, rosters expand by just two players, from 26 to 28, with a limit of 14 pitchers.
As much as fans would love to see an exciting prospect like Ricky Tiedemann or Orelvis Martinez added to the big-league roster, it's unlikely (bordering on laughably inconceivable) that either gets a sniff of the majors this season. Tiedemann, easily the team's top prospect, just returned from the IL and has only thrown 21 1/3 innings this season. Meanwhile, the young slugger Martinez is just getting his feet wet with 20 games at Triple-A.
So, with securing a postseason spot in mind, which Blue Jays players deserve to get the call to join the big club in September?
Spencer Horwitz
Spencer Horwitz got his first shot at The Show earlier this season when he made his MLB debut and played in three games in June. He collected a couple of hits during that stint, but with such a small sample size, he didn't get a fair shake for serious evaluation.
The 25-year-old has put up impressive numbers in Triple-A this season, splitting time between first base and left field. He's slashing .330/.446/.490 with nine home runs, 65 RBI, 52 runs scored and eight stolen bases, although it's his recent performance that has him knocking on the door to the big club.
Horwitz has been terrorizing Triple-A pitching since getting hot in July and being named the International League Player of the Week. Through 21 games in the second half, his .455 batting average, monstrous 1.333 OPS and whopping 228 wRC+ are helping carry the Bisons' offense.
Spencer is having a DAY at the plate π«’ pic.twitter.com/Gs6FwqiFPr
β Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 9, 2023
Outside of his hit tool and plate approach, Horwitz doesn't have a single standout tool to ride but is solid across the board. Notably, he has tapped into some power recently. Six of his nine home runs and 10 of his 26 doubles have come during this scorching 23-game stretch, helping him rack up 26 RBI and 19 runs.
With a higher walk rate (16.4 percent) than strikeout rate (15.7 percent), Horwitz's eye and discipline at the plate make him a candidate for finding some success at the big league level. If the Jays are looking for someone to come off the bench, provide quality at-bats and put the ball in play, Horwitz deserves another look.
NEXT: A young, promising slugging prospect and an experienced infielder who should get consideration
Addison Barger
Like Horwitz, Addison Barger had a slow start to his season. Hampered by over a month on the IL with an elbow injury, the 23-year-old had a forgettable first half. He hit a meager .220 with a .645 OPS and only managed two home runs β not exactly the power display that the organization had been expecting.
Barger's second half has gone more to plan. In 22 games, he's hitting at a .282 clip with a .408 on-base. Most importantly, his power is back with a .541 slugging percentage, five long balls, seven doubles, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored since July 14.
On defense, Barger has spent most of his time on the left side of the infield this season, split between shortstop and third. Recently, he has been getting reps in the outfield, now with 11 games under his belt in right field. He certainly has the arm to play anywhere on the diamond.
Earlier this Spring, @ArdenZwelling reported that Addison Barger might have strongest arm in Jays system...
β Chris Black (@DownToBlack) March 19, 2023
I think he might be onto something.
Barger uncorked another one at the end of an inning yesterday. pic.twitter.com/WWr524vWdC
After striking out at a 27.3 percent rate in the first half, the lefty has shown off his plate discipline in the second half. He's sporting a 15.5 percent strikeout rate and an even higher 17.5 percent walk rate, which bodes well for when he eventually makes his MLB debut.
Ernie Clement
Versatile infielder Ernie Clement should also be on the Blue Jays' radar for a September call-up. The former Cleveland fourth-round pick has already had three stints and 13 appearances with the big club this season, not to mention his 110 games of big league experience with the Guardians and Athletics.
While the 27-year-old has had limited opportunities in a Blue Jays uniform, mainly appearing as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner (plus one as a pitcher!) with only four starts, he has made the most of his chances. He's 4-for-8 with a double, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base this season.
Not only has he held his own as an end-of-the-roster player in the majors this year, but his performance in Triple-A could warrant another trip to Toronto. He has easily handled minor league pitching, posting a .349 batting average and .958 OPS in 57 games.
Clement picked up right where he left off after being returned to the Bisons to make room on the big league roster for Davis Schneider. He now has eight home runs, 14 doubles, 41 RBI, 50 runs scored and 10 steals with Buffalo.
Ernie gets us on the board! pic.twitter.com/4Y0l2j40z0
β Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 9, 2023
NEXT: An outfielder who has spent plenty of time on the Jays' bench and a versatile defender who's a longshot to get a call
Nathan Lukes
Another player who has spent plenty of time on the Toronto bench this year, Nathan Lukes could be a comfortable choice for the Blue Jays to promote in September.
In his eighth season of professional ball, Lukes made his MLB debut earlier this year. He has 27 appearances and 15 starts spread over four separate stints with the Jays. With sporadic playing time, the 29-year-old has had difficulty getting much traction at the plate. Aside from a modest three-game hit streak in May, Lukes is hitting .200 in 29 plate appearances.
Luckily, the time in the majors hasn't affected his production when playing in Buffalo. Lukes has 10 doubles, 21 RBI and 21 runs to go along with a .333/.414/.564 slash line in 29 games.
Before his most recent call-up for the injured Kevin Kiermaier, he had put together a seven-game hit streak with the Bisons, hitting .394 with a 1.109 OPS. The streak included six multi-hit games, capped off by his fifth home run. Yes, Lukes is on the big league roster right now, but he's the clear choice to go down once Kiermaier returns from the injured list.
the Herd is off and running today π
β Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 6, 2023
A Nathan Lukes home run gets us on the board first! pic.twitter.com/VBenHa3iOT
NEXT: A speedy utility player who is getting harder and harder to ignore down in Triple-A
Rafael Lantigua
Rafael Lantigua might be the perfect fit if the Blue Jays are looking for a versatile defender to add to their expanded roster. The 25-year-old has played all over the diamond in his first full season at Triple-A, including time at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.
Listed at 5-foot-7, Lantigua is no slouch with the bat and can offer a little bit of everything at the plate. He's slashing .284/.416/.457 with nine long balls, 30 doubles, 55 RBI, 68 runs and 17 stolen bases through 94 games.
He isn't currently on the 40-man roster, so it's a longshot that Lantigua garners serious consideration for a call-up in September. His strong second half, however, may get his name in the conversation. In 21 games, he's hitting .313 and slugging at a .563 clip, with four home runs and 18 RBI.
Rafael Lantigua hit this one to the corner of 13th and North Hampton St. π#Bisons leave the yard again! 7-5 Herd pic.twitter.com/Q9ZVU20gQD
β Buffalo Bisons (@BuffaloBisons) August 5, 2023