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MLB: What to watch when your team is eliminated

By Ed Carroll

Sep 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 9, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (11) runs out a double in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (11) runs out a double in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Get a first look at an exciting young player

This suggestion is probably one you’ve heard before, and September is still a great time to check out young players, but as teams start to care more and more about issues such as service time, team control, and Super 2 status, it’s become less and less of a sure thing for that hotshot minor leaguer in your system to get a September call up.

That doesn’t mean intriguing players aren’t being given a chance. Some of these guys called up are less of a sure thing, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be a factor for your team’s future. With the expanded rosters, many managers feel almost inclined to play more of the available players on the roster. Sometimes, this can lead to inflated expectations, particularly when a guy is on a hot streak in September – if a guy is mashing against another team’s scrubs, it’s not necessarily an indicator that this kid will light up the league next year.

But don’t discredit September experience, either. At the end of 2013, Jose Ramirez was a fringe prospect in the Cleveland Indians system, an above-average looking middle infielder in an organization which values “up the middle” players such as catchers, shortstops or second baseman, and centerfielders. Ramirez played in 15 games in September 2013, and only picked up 14 plate appearances. Still, the brief experience was enough trust for manager Terry Francona to turn to Ramirez, and not top prospect Francisco Lindor, as an everyday player when starting shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was traded at the deadline.

While Ramirez’s overall numbers aren’t too impressive (and his numbers are held back by an abysmal month of May while Jason Kipnis was on the DL), Ramirez has really played well, both offensively and defensively of late, and 34 of his 43 hits this season came after August 1. It’s unlikely Ramirez would get that trust from Francona without his prior experience, and maybe you’re watching someone who could force his way into your team’s equation next season.

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