One September callup we want for each MLB team

Chicago Cubs: Alec Mills

If you think the Red Sox have depleted their farm system with trades the past two years, wait until you get a load of the Cubs. Theo Epstein has never been one to shy away from trading top prospects if it makes his MLB club better, and the blockbuster trades for Aroldis Chapman and Jose Quintana make sense regardless of the high price the Cubs paid to acquire them.

The Cubs still have a respectable farm system even after trading away Gleyber Torres and Eloy Jimenez thanks to their high budget and ability to rake in international talent. Their top names, however, are all have 2019 ETAs at the earliest. That is not necessarily a huge deal because the Cubs are already built to win now.

Mark Zagunis would have been a name to watch on the call-up front for the Cubs in September, but the outfielder was forced to undergo hand surgery. Right-handed reliever Alec Mills, who the Cubs picked up from the Kansas City Royals last winter, has spent most of the 2017 season on the disabled list with an ankle and elbow injuries but is rehabbing and on track to return to the big leagues in September.

Mills made his MLB debut for the Royals last year and has a career 3.00 ERA in the minor leagues, mostly serving as a starting pitcher. His future in the big leagues is in the bullpen. Mills relies on a decent sinker to get outs, and must locate it in the bottom of the zone to be effective. Perhaps not a dominant arm for the long haul, Mills at least has the potential to help eat innings in September and ensure that the key names in the Cubs bullpen are rested for the postseason.