Fansided

Each MLB team’s expected call-ups for roster expansion

By Kyle Franzoni

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar (2) hits a home run during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar (2) hits a home run during the eighth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros

Talk about a team in the driver’s seat, the Houston Astros currently own a 93.1% chance of making the postseason in 2015. That’s a far cry from what most expected from the franchise coming into the season and its certainly been one of the more enjoyable things to watch.

That doesn’t mean the Astros are taking this opportunity for granted either. We’ve already seen them be extremely active at the trade deadline and the added veterans from July have already paid big dividends for the team as they put their foot on the gas and distanced themselves in the division race.

That said, we’re also talking about a lot of young players that may not have seen this much action in a given season and could use some rest. With a big lead in the AL West, the Astros will likely look to add some strategic depth pieces that could spell some of their starters down the stretch and give them some fresh legs for the postseason.

Luckily for the Astros, Houston has some solid veteran pieces in the upper minors that could add some of that needed depth. Pitchers Joe Thatcher and Vincent Velazquez could step into the bullpen and help rest some arms. Meanwhile, infielder Jonathan Villar could help give shortstop Carlos Correa a breather or two, and first baseman Jon Singleton could do the same for Luis Valbuena and Chris Carter at first base or Evan Gattis at DH. Adding a third catcher in Max Stassi may not be a bad choice either.

Of the prospects in the system, Houston could give top prospect Mark Appel a look, although it would likely be in a relief situation. The Astros could also recall infielder Tony Kemp, but given the fact that he isn’t on the 40-man roster and the team could fallback on Villar in that role, there is no rush to see him this fall.

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