AL Call-up Report

Jason Michael Barker

September is one of my favorite times of the baseball season, even though my beloved Mariners are far from playoff contention. I look forward to the end of the season for one special reason -- expanded rosters.

Just so you're up to speed, during most of the season each major league team can have only 25 active players on their roster. Once September 1 rolls around, that number increases to 40. Since most teams already know if they have postseason plans or not, for them this last month is a chance to take a look at numerous players from the minors. Some, like St. Louis' J.D. Drew, are super-prospects. Others, such as the Mariners' Paul Abbott, are career minor-leaguers hoping to earn a shot at a job next spring.

Here are some of the more interesting late-season call ups. This weekend we'll take a look at the Senior Circuit, but today, the American League.

Ryan Minor, 3B, Baltimore. If anything, Minor will be remembered as the kid who replaced Cal Ripken Jr. in the O's starting lineup on September 20, 1998 -- the day The Streak died. A former hoops star at the University of Oklahoma, Minor stands 6'7" and has been touted as Ripken's eventual replacement. He didn't hit all that well at AA this season, and at 24 he was a bit old for the league. He also struck out 152 times in 521 at-bats, while drawing just 34 walks.

Calvin Pickering, 1B, Baltimore. Another huge (6'5", 285) guy, Pickering can hit the ball a country mile, and he belted 31 homers this season for AA Bowie. Unlike Minor, he wasn't too old for the league, having just turned 21. Pickering has always struck out a ton, but this season he made huge strides at the plate, drawing 98 walks to go along with his 119 Ks. He may win the job next spring if the O's don't re-sign Raffi Palmiero.

Mike Lowell, 3B, New York. Lowell started showing up on prospect lists after a big 1997 at AA, and he followed that up with another good campaign this year. This season produced 26 home runs and 34 doubles, and although he doesn't walk enough, he's good enough to hit in the majors. Think Dean Palmer: decent OBP, good SLG. Current 3B Scott Brosius will soon be a free agent, and the Yankees would be better off letting him walk and giving the job to Lowell next season.

Tom Evans, 3B, Toronto. Forever hailed as the 3B of the future, Evans may finally get the job next season. He should have had it this year, but the Jays insisted on playing Ed "E-5" Sprague. Evans doesn't hit for a ton of power (15 HR at AAA this season), but he's solid in the field and knows how to take a walk.

Mark Johnson, C, Chicago. A solid defender who handles a pitching staff well, Johnson hasn't hit much since the Sox picked him #1 in 1994, but he knows how to get on base. Although he doesn't hit for power, he did draw an incredible 105 walks this season at AA Birmingham, the highest total in the league, and walked 106 times in 1997. Just 22, Johnson deserves at least a backup job next season.

Jeremy Giambi, OF, Kansas City. Yes, he the brother of the A's Jason. Jeremy might be even better than his brother, who's a good player in his own right. He doesn't have 40-home run power, but he could easily hit 40 doubles and draw 100 walks, a la Edgar Martinez. Probably should have been starting since opening day, but since when do the Royals do anything right? Look for a big 1999.

Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland. The top prospect in the A's system, Chavez was making a run at the Triple Crown at AA Huntsville before being moved up the ladder to AAA, where all he did was slug .576 (18 doubles, 11 homers in 198 at-bats). He does it all -- great stroke, good glove, strong arm -- and will contend for AL Rookie of the Year in 1999.

Carlos Guillen, 2B, Seattle. The future at 2B in Seattle, Guillen played well in a brief stint before suffering a season-ending knee injury. It's nothing serious, and he'll be ready to go next spring. Formerly a shortstop, he's solid in the field with a strong arm but still has to prove he can hit in the majors. He missed a great deal of time due to injury in 1995 and 1996, and may need another half-season at AAA before he's ready. Best case: he'll be Ray Durham, and that's not bad.

Makato "Mac" Suzuki, P, Seattle. Suzuki signed with a great deal of hype a few years back -- hype that he never really lived up to. He's always had great stuff, but it hasn't translated into good minor league statistics, and this season was no different. Many seem to have given up on him, myself included, and it was something of a shock to learn that he's still just 23. Listed here because he's done well during his callup, and may earn a shot at the rotation next season.

about the author

It seemed like a good idea at the time for Jason Michael Barker to have a clause in his contract stipulating he get a late-season call-up, but he's now realized there isn't anywhere for him to be called up to. Offer sympathy or a trip to the big city at jmb@strikethree.com.