With Milwaukee's roster to expand to 40 on Monday, who will get the call? Here are some guesses.
When the Brewers return to Miller Park Monday, the clubhouse will be a bit more crowded. As most everyone knows, Major League teams expand their rosters from 25 to 40 players on September 1st each season.
Thanks to Brew Crew Ball, Brewerfan.net’s “Mass Haas” and Nashville Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas - we can safely say Milwaukee will promote Brad Nelson (IF/OF), Vinny Rottino (C), Mat Gamel (3B), Tony Gwynn Jr. (OF), Joe Dillon (IF) and pitchers Mitch Stetter, Tim Dillard and Mark DiFelice. But that still leaves seven more players left to be called upon.
One can assume Russell Branyan has a spot on the team once he returns from the DL and Laynce Nix (who was promoted in place of Branyan) will remain with the club too.
Here are some unfamiliar names you may also see roaming the dugout, bullpen - and maybe even the diamond - when September is upon us.
Infielders-
• Alcides Escobar (SS/Huntsville) – A lot of Brewer fans have been excited to see the Escobar kid we’ve been hearing so much about play under the bright lights. Though only in Double-A, Escobar is listed on the Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. Always gifted with the glove, Escobar’s bat looks to have caught up with his infield prowess. His numbers are all-around gawdy. I’d love to see him contribute as soon as possible.
• Callix Crabbe (2B/Nashville) - The middle infield is already crowded, especially with Dillon to be promoted, but Crabbe has played at the Major League level with San Diego this season and hopefully would be able to improve on his .176 BA (6 for 34) he tallied in his stint there. He’s servicable, at worst.
Outfielders-
• Jay Gibbons (OF and DH/Nashville) - Gibby hit .312 in Nashville (109 AB) and has more Major League experience than anyone else in the system. I don’t see why Milwaukee would’ve signed Gibbons if they didn’t plan on calling him up to help come September.
• Hernan Iribarren (OF/Nashville) – Hurricane has twice been promoted to Milwaukee’s roster this season and played OK (2 for 14) in his sporadic opportunities there. Iribarren can add outfield depth, could handle emergency middle infield duties. His 19 steals in a partial season in Nashville (trails Gwynn by one for team lead) make him ideal for pinch running or double switch situations.
• Brendan Katin (OF/Nashville) – Kaitin led the Sounds with 19 homers and trailed only Brad Nelson in RBI (72). Posted a respectable .542 SLG, but struck out over 100 times and walked just 13 in over 300 AB. If Mel Stocker doesn’t get the call, Katin could.
Pitchers-
• Joe Bateman (RHP/Nashville) - He’s probably the best pitcher left on Nashville’s roster not already rumored to be called up. Who can argue with a 1.60 ERA, 22 hits, 37 strikeouts and sub-one WHIP in 33.2 innings? I’ll be surprised if he’s not on the roster Monday.
• Lindsay Gulin (LHP/Nashville) – This Sounds southpaw just named to his second Pitcher of the Week award and has been the only real staple in an otherwise shaky Nashville starting rotation with his 3.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and K/IP ration of nearly one. There’s not much of a place for Gulin on the team as far as starter or long relief roles go, but if his performance as a starter can translate into the bullpen, bring him in.
- Barring the unlikely return of Yovani Gallardo, those are my guesses to who will be on their way to Milwaukee for Monday’s game. I’d like to see what others think.