September call-ups are one of the last checkpoints of the MLB season. It’s the time when the regular roster size expands from 26 players to 28, allowing teams to add two extra players to their roster as reinforcements for the final stretch run. Rosters used to expand to allow a team to use any player on its 40-man roster in a game in September which led to a seemingly endless parade of pitchers and overcrowded dugouts. But that has been done away with, as the new rule allows only two players and limits teams to a maximum of 14 pitchers on their active roster.

Because of the new nature of September call-ups, teams usually look to add a couple of depth players rather than giving some prospects a short taste of the Majors as they did in years past. For example, last season the Phillies added Tyler Phillips and Kody Clemens to the expanded roster, which translated to an extra long reliever and utility player.

Scouring the current 40-man roster, there are a few options that stand out if the Phillies once again go with a similar route. Max Lazar seems like a safe bet to be one of the call-ups. The right hander has had an up and down season out of the bullpen, as he owns a 4.78 ERA in 28 MLB games, but he’s shown enough to warrant being on the roster for the rest of the season. However, there is a chance he comes up but not necessarily as an extra man, as the bottom of the Phillies reliever depth chart is in a state of flux with the release of Joe Ross and the placement of Jordan Romano on the IL.

As far as a hitter likely to come up, it would appear to be almost a given that Otto Kemp will rejoin the team on September 1st. He would fit the bill of another utility-type player and has had decent success in the Majors this season despite hitting .228 and being 2 for his last 20.

Those are the boring options. There are a couple of spicy options the Phillies could eventually add to the roster, but they are longshots and would require more 40-man roster shuffling.

We’re talking about Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford.

Neither are currently on the 40-man, so spots would need to be cleared for the two top prospects. In years past with the old rules, both would be almost locks to get some MLB playing time. Now, it’s extremely likely they will both remain in Lehigh Valley through the close of the Iron Pigs’ regular season schedule on September 21st.

In Painter’s case, he hasn’t exactly looked the part of being ready for the Majors quite yet in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. As for Crawford, despite a strong showing in Triple-A, it would be hard for the Phillies to find him regular playing time with their current outfield rotation. Both would probably benefit more from just staying on schedule and finishing out their season. But a promotion for either can’t be ruled out completely.

So, who should be the Phillies September call-ups? Should they just choose the depth pieces in Lazar and Kemp? Or should they give someone else on the 40 a try? Should they consider a short promotion for a top prospect? Or should that wait until the spring?

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