One September call-up to watch for each MLB team

Boston Red Sox: Tanner Houck

The Boston Red Sox really don’t have much to work with at the upper levels of their farm system. With only one top-100 prospect, Triston Casas, who is still in Single-A, it really is slim pickings for the Red Sox when it comes to September additions. Boston’s farm system is so weak right now that there was speculation the team would be open to selectively dealing away established stars from its MLB roster in this down year in an attempt to breathe life into the prospect pool.

Boston hasn’t totally bowed out of the playoff race yet, but they’ll need a miracle to get back to the postseason and try and defend their World Series title. A mediocre rotation and bullpen has held the team back this season. Even with their top-three offense, the Red Sox will likely miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

With September mostly a chance to evaluate the future, the Red Sox should add right-hander Tanner Houck to the bullpen for the final few weeks of action. The 23-year-old throws from a low arm slot that has reliever written all over it. He has made that transition at Triple-A Pawtucket and has gotten good results in relief.

Houck has made 14 relief appearances with Pawtucket and has a 3.24 ERA in 25 innings while striking out 27. Houck slings in a 98-mph fastball and solid breaking ball. If he cannot develop a third pitch, his stuff will play up nicely as a multi-inning reliever. Houck has only thrown 107.2 innings this year after reaching 119 last year, so there is some room to let him pitch into the end of September at the MLB level.