It’s September, and for the true baseball fans that are still following at this time of year know that means one thing … MLB call-up season!
Let’s take a look at five late-season MLB call-ups who have proven they have no intention of returning to the minor leagues.
RF/1B Joey Meneses, Washington Nationals
Since his call-up after the Juan Soto trade in early August, Meneses has slashed a spectacular 149 wRC+, hitting .329 with eight homers. Based on his performance and late call-up, I assumed Meneses to be a highly touted stud young prospect. Believe it or not, Meneses is actually 30 years old and has an incredible story. He’s played in Mexico, Japan, and now is finally shining in the big leagues.
Oh, and since his call-up, Meneses has outperformed Juan Soto in every offensive category. Unbelievable. If Meneses can stay consistent with these awesome numbers, the Nationals may have found a new superstar in right field.
SP Hunter Brown, Houston Astros
The highly-touted top pitching prospect was called up on September 1 and looked absolutely filthy in his first start against the Rangers. Brown pitched six scoreless innings, striking out five. He showcased a nasty arsenal, which features a consistent 98 MPH fastball that can climb to the top of the zone, a 93-94 MPH cutter/slider hybrid, and a nasty 12-6 curve around 84-85 MPH. He also occasionally sprinkled in a changeup around 90 MPH.
Brown threw another strong 6 innings on Tuesday against Detroit, allowing two earned runs with six strikeouts. His curveball got hit around a bit, but he still had his fastball clocking at 98 late in the game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brown earn a start or two in the postseason. However, with a crowded Astros rotation even with Justin Verlander on the IL, Brown could be the Astros secret weapon out of the bullpen come October.
IF Vaughn Grissom, Braves
Surely you were expecting this man to be on the list, with most remembering Grissom’s signature debut, where he homered in his third at-bat at Fenway Park. Part of Atlanta’s “Rookie Row,” he hasn’t cooled down yet either. Since his call-up on August 10, Grissom has slashed a 133 wRC+ with five homers and a .309 batting average. With Grissom playing at second base and Dansby Swanson becoming a UFA next year, it brings a very interesting dilemma for the Braves. We know the Braves will be getting second baseman Ozzie Albies back, and Grissom having experience at shortstop makes you wonder what the Braves will do. Max Fried and Spencer Strider will need to be paid sooner than later…
2B/SS Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
What do Vaughn Grissom and Gunnar Henderson have in common? Well, besides being stud middle infielders, they actually both homered in their debut! A consensus top five prospect, Henderson was called up September 1 and entered the big leagues with a bang, going yard in his first game. Henderson hasn’t homered since then, but is still slashing an awesome 135 wRC+ with a .304 batting average. Henderson has also shown tremendous defensive flexibility, starting three games at shortstop, five games at third base, and three games at second base. Baltimore has to be thrilled with his success at the plate so far and, with this stellar production, it looks like he’ll be penciled into the opening day lineup for 2023.
1B Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals
Nicknamed “The Italian Nightmare” by former Royals legend George Brett, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound first baseman is a force to be reckoned with. The former Top 100 prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) was called up in late June, and is a part of a Royals roster that features many young budding stars such as MJ Melendez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Nick Pratto. Pasquantino is slashing a respectable 119 wRC+ with eight homers and a .257 batting average. He’s been a bit cold recently, but I’d love to see some more homers with such a strong power tool. Give Pasquantino one more season of development and I think he’s a perennial 30-plus home run player.