Projecting Palm Springs September Callups

[Codgers]

The PEBA universe just stepped into the month of August and in three and a half weeks will see roster expansion. Teams will use the expansion to bring up young hopefuls to give them a shot to turn heads and change minds during the last five weeks of the season. It's a great time to see if a young prospect is ready to become a regular contributor to the team at the PEBA level. A good showing can impact not only the prospects career projection but will also give team management insight into offseason, draft and free agent needs.

The Palm Springs Codgers have been very active acquiring a mix of veterans and young players on their quest to respectability. Moves that have blocked a few prospects from getting an earlier callup. Here is a look at players who are likely get a September look as the Codgers try to balance the win now outlook with the future. These are players who have been in the Codgers system all season and have earned a look with a few who have already been promoted.

The Recent Callups:
Two young pitchers have been promoted in the last week to help with bullpen depth. Both players had been outstanding in AAA earning an earlier than expected call up

P Hyun-seung Kim - The 25 year old righthander has flown under the radar due to the young pitching talent in the Codgers organization but his rapid advancement earned him an opportunity for an early call up. Kim started the season in AA where in 5 starts he went 3-1 with a 2.94 ERA in 33.2 innings before earning a promotion to AAA. Kim wasted no time in making a statement in AAA that he was ready for more. In AAA he pitched 27 innings with a 0.33 ERA and a 0.81 WHiP going 2-0 with 10 saves. In his PEBA debut Kim threw 2.2 innings of 1 hit, scoreless baseball. Since his call up he has worked out of the bullpen and thrown 5.2 innings in three games allowing 4 hits and no runs.

P Sergio Melendres - Starting the season in AA Melendres wasted no time stating his case for a promotion to AAA. Starting 17 games in AA he went 13-1 with a 1.57 ERA and 0.84 WHiP in 126.1 innings. After his call up to AAA, Melendres threw 30.1 innings with a 0.89 ERA with a 0.69 ERA in 4 starts. The Codgers promoted him to the PEBA team after a week saw them play 13 extra innings and fatigued their bullpen. In his first PEBA appearance he surrendered a lead in Tempe giving up 2 runs in 2.1 innings in the loss. He bounced back five days later against Tempe again earning a Hold in 1.2 innings. Barring injury, Melendres will continue to work out of the bullpen. The Codgers may find him a couple starts if he pitches well enough.

See you in September:
These players debut was pushed back until September after the Codgers decided to go with established PEBA players in their quest for .500. They are projected to be on the 2040 Opening Day roster if they perform well

INF Javier Cervantes - made his PEBA debut during a six game callup before being sent back down due to a roster crunch after some veteran additions at the deadline. Cervantes is the most likely candidate to be called back up before September. Starting the year in AAA, the 22 year old infielder hit .371 with a .407 OBP in 232 at bats. He projects to be a potential replacement for the arbitration eligible INF Vasil Albers and will challenge incumbent third basement and Codgers lone All Star 3B Benjamin Genileschi or slot in as a utility infielder. During his brief appearance with the Codgers, Cervantes hit a respectable .286 with a .333 OBP

DH Edgard Longoria - his future is directly tied to his power numbers when he does get called up to the Codgers. Longoria is a defensive liability so his future is as a DH. He flashed his power in AAA hitting 18 homeruns in 248 at bats while hitting .286 with a .362 OBP. He will be given every opportunity to prove he is more than a AAAA player.

P Alex Sanchez - the 24 year old righthander has posted a 2.68 ERA with a 1.01 WHiP in 164.2 innings. His callup will be an audition for the 2040 team where he could slot in as long relief out of the bullpen or if he exceeds expectations, a fifth starter. Sanchez was the 20th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2036 draft.

P Angel Reyna - started the season in the PEBA with mixed results posting a 6.11 ERA in 10 games. It's time for Reyna to perform if he is to be a long term piece in the Codgers young pitching staff. Reyna is talented and projects to be a middle reliever. Since his demotion to AAA he has thrown 71.2 innings with a 3.64 ERA going 6-2 in 11 starts.

LF Matthieu Sicco - the young corner outfielder continues to hit beyond his talent. In 103 AAA games this season he has hit .286 with a .345 OBP but it is his 18 homeruns that have caught the attention of Codgers management. Sicco could catch on in 2040 as a 5th outfielder/DH candidate.