Who's Who in the September Callups

When September 1st comes, teams are allowed to expand their rosters. Organizations hope that the players will help the team in the pennant race, or if the team is out of the race the player could get a taste of the majors, making them better prepared for the major leagues in the future. This season many top prospects have been called up, and these players should be around the league for awhile. Let's take a look at some of the top players who were called up in early September.

Joey Votto, Cincinatti Reds
Votto was a second round pick in 2002, and has been productive at every level in the minors since. He is a power hitting first baseman that also has the ability to hit for a high average and he has a good eye at the plate. Votto could also swipe a bag if needed to (24 SB in 2006) which would make him a good fit in the Reds already powerful offense. He already has hit his first Major League HR against John Maine, and that was also his first big league hit as well. Votto has the potential to be a 30 HR- 30 SB type player, and will compete for the starting 1B job in spring training, although a good September might give him the job.

Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals
The first overall pick in 2006 was called up on September 4, and the Royals hope he will get a feel for the Majors this year before he is put in the rotation for next season. Hochevar has a great fastball and a pretty good curve to use as a second pitch. His problem is his third pitch which is his changeup. Hochevar needs his changeup to be effective as his third pitch, because hitters will sit on either the fastball and curve, and he will get hit. He has struggled in AA and AAA this year especially when it comes to giving up the HR ball (23 HR 146 IP) , so it should be interesting to see how he pitches in the majors this year. No matter what happens in September, Hochevar should be in the Royals rotation at some point in 2008.

Wladimir Balentien, Seattle Mariners
Balentien was signed out of Curacao in 2000 and has been putting up big power numbers throughout his minor league career. He also has the ability to draw a walk, but his downfall is the strikeout (it is known around SOS that Wladimir puts the K in strikeout). He resembles Adam Dunn as a player who hits a lot of Homeruns and draws a lot of walks, but strikesout way too much for his own good. He could see some playing time now since Jose Guillen has been struggling lately. He already has collected his first major league hit, and you should see him hitting a lot of homeruns for years to come.