Looking at who might the Jays call-up when rosters expand

With the Jays playoff chances dwindling (to put it mildly), many are looking at 2018. Our first chance to see some of the young guys, who could be helping out next year, will be when September call-ups happen. Many of the Jays top prospects are still two to four years away, but there are still good players who may be getting the call.

Here are some of the possibilities.

Note: Not included are players who have already played a game for the Jays this season, like Alford and Smith Jr. who should be coming up.

Teoscar Hernandez, OF

Teoscar Hernandez was the big return on the Francisco Liriano trade at the deadline this year. Hernandez is a legitimate top prospect in baseball and is the Jays fifth best prospect according to MLB.com.

Hernandez should be called up and get some playing time, as some believe he will get a shot to become the Jays starting right fielder next season. Hernandez has plus speed, and a good bat. Hernandez is hitting the ball well as of late in Buffalo.

Hernandez should be called up when the rosters expand and the Blue Jays can get their first look at him and evaluate him for the 2018 season.

Ryan Borucki, LHP

Borucki started out the 2017 season in Class A Dunedin but since then have been promoted to Double A New Hampshire, where he has pitched lights out as of late. Currently, Borucki has a 1.94 ERA in New Hampshire through seven starts with a 2-3 record.

I think that Borucki should be with Jays come September. Borucki would most likely be part of the bullpen, and show his talent to put his hat in for a spot next year.

Rowdy Tellez, 1B

Tellez is probably the most well-known name on this list, given that many thought he would already be up in Toronto. Tellez is a power hitter who has risen through the minor league ranks after being drafted with the 895 pick (30 round) in 2013.

Tellez’s path to the majors, is blocked currently as Justin Smoak has suddenly become good and Kendrys Morales has a big contact.

Tellez, however, is not part of the Jays 40-man roster so the team would have to make room for Tellez if they want to call him up. And he hasn’t hit well, .222/.292/.335 with 6 home runs (though he has hit better of late).

There is little chance he gets a call.

Harold Ramirez, OF

Ramirez is one of the prospects Toronto acquired with Francisco Liriano from Pittsburgh last year. Ramirez is currently playing in Double A New Hampshire where he is hitting the ball well this season. Currently, he has a .260 batting average with 6 home runs and 49 RBI’s.

Ramirez is a long shot to be called up. He is on the 40-man roster, but with Alford, Smith and Hernandez likely called up there may not be room for Ramirez.

Ramirez’s path to the majors is blocked and with so many promising outfield prospects. I can’t see him coming up.

Richard Urena, SS

Urena is a long shot to be called up in September. Urena was once the Jays best prospect before the stardom of Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Urena has been passed over by recent draft picks in Bichette and Warmoth at shortstop. His time may be now or never.

Urena is currently playing in Double A New Hampshire where he is hitting .247/.288/.361, but playing good defense. Calling up Urena makes sense given that Tulowitzki is injured and the middle infield depth is lacking currently in Toronto.

Urena could get a chance to show Toronto if deserves to be in the big leagues next season.

Lourdes Gurriel, SS

(Tom’s note) Personally, I’d be leaning towards bringing up Lourdes. He’s not hitting great, .245/.288/.317, but he’s on the 40-man and he was signed with the idea that he was major league ready. I’d like to see him play some short so we can get some idea of his defense. And he can play other positions, so he’d be a good guy to have on the bench. It isn’t like Darwin Barney is having a great season, so we should give Lourdes a chance.

We are likely to see the Luke Maile back, we need a third catcher. Alford and Smith should be up. And we’ll likely see many of the pitchers who have been up at times this season. Pitchers Leonel Campos, Nick Tepesch and Cesar Valdez should be up. Possibly Chris Rowley as well. Aaron Sanchez, presuming his rehab goes well, will likely spend the last few weeks of the season in the bullpen.

The Jays tend to bring up fewer players in September than we expect, preferring not to make things too crowded on the bench.

Who would you bring up this September?