Fansided

One September callup we want for each MLB team

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 27: Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out against the Arizona Diamondback in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on July 27, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 27: Harrison Bader #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out against the Arizona Diamondback in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on July 27, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

St. Louis Cardinals: Harrison Bader

The Cardinals have a few options to consider for September callups. Start with shortstop Aledmys Diaz who made the All-Star Game as a rookie in 2016. Injuries sent Diaz into a slump to start the year, and he was sent down to Triple-A after hitting .260/.293/.396 in 71 games. The demotion has not exactly lit a fire under Diaz, and Paul DeJong has taken over next to Kolten Wong up the middle.

With several years left to figure out what to do with Diaz, the Cardinals may be wise to see if he can handle third base in September. They’re in the playoff race in name only thanks to the Cubs malaise all season. Diaz does not have the range to play shortstop in the big leagues, but may work out at third base. Jedd Gyorko had been playing third base, but has a hamstring strain that could keep him out most of September.

Another player the Cardinals need to see up is outfielder Harrison Bader. The 2015 third-round pick is a very well-rounded player — exactly the type of player to fit into the Cardinals lineup. He will have to slide out of center field going forward with Dexter Fowler, but could be even more valuable in a corner.

Randal Grichuk has been miserable this year for the Cardinals and may have played himself out of a full-time role going forward. Tommy Pham is having a career year with a .300/.400/.500 line that came out of nowhere. The Cardinals need to give Bader a chance to compete with Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty, another disappointment in 2017.

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