Braves: Six players who could be called up when rosters expand in September

With the new rules for September call ups, the Braves will be able to add two players to their active 26-man roster. I would expect them to pick up one hitter and one pitcher, but for now, it’s still an unknown. Here are the six guys that I think are the most likely candidates to come up and get some looks:

 

LHP Kyle Muller

Although he was just sent back down to Gwinnett to fine tune some things, Kyle Muller is certainly a candidate to come back up when the rosters expand. Even though he had trouble locating his pitches at times, he was effective for the Braves for the most part. He would likely serve out of the bullpen in some sort of long relief role.

 

LHP Sean Newcomb

We haven’t seen much of Sean Newcomb in 2021, but maybe the Braves will look to stretch him out and let him work some easy innings if they still have a comfortable division lead after the brutal stretch they face this week.

 

LHP Tucker Davidson

Davidson was pitching very well before he landed on the 60-day IL with a forearm strain, and missing all of that time may hurt his chances of a September call up. Still, he was effective enough before the injury that it’s a possibility.

 

OF Cristian Pache

Pache’s season in Atlanta was nothing short of disappointing, but he has caught fire in Gwinnett. In August, Pache is slashing .327/.393/.582/.975 with five doubles, three home runs, and six walks. Perhaps the Braves will look to start fresh with him in 2022, but he’s certainly a candidate.

 

C William Contreras

Contreras is up right now, but I’m under the assumption that he will be sent back down once Travis d’Arnaud returns from paternity leave. Like Pache, it may just be better to start fresh with Contreras in 2022.

 

RHP Kyle Wright

Wright’s a bit of a dark horse after another down season in 2021, but he was really good down the stretch in 2020. Maybe with a softer schedule going into September, he can get some innings as an opener or out of the bullpen.