Meet the September Call-Ups

Each year, as the calendar rolls forward to September, each team receives additional roster spots which are generally used to bring up prospects and add depth for the final month of the season. This year, the Twins have elected to bring up pitchers Bobby Korecky, Philip Humber, Jose Mijares; infielders Matt Tolbert and Matt Macri, outfielder Jason Pridie and catcher Ryan Jorgensen.

Some of these names aren't terribly exciting. We're all pretty familiar with Tolbert and Macri since they both have spent time with the club this year. Jorgensen is a light-hitting catcher and minor-league veteran brought up to provide depth behind Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond. Jason Pridie, the center field prospect acquired as part of the Matt Garza trade, got off to a terrible start in Rochester but has rebounded and should be interesting to watch when he manages to get into the lineup, which likely won't be often with the Twins' already crowded outfield situation.

But the three pitchers being brought up should prove the most useful. It's no secret that the Twins' bullpen has been stretched thin in recent weeks, so any help is obviously welcome. Korecky spent time with the team earlier this year and posted very good numbers in Triple-A. He could be an instant upgrade over Jesse Crain, who has really struggled lately. Humber was horrible during the first half, but seems to have flipped a switch since around the All-Star break. It will be interesting to see his highly touted curveball in action.

The lefty Mijares may be the most intriguing of the bunch. He has electric stuff but has frequently struggled with his control and missed much of this season after fracturing his elbow in a spring car accident. He has pitched only 8 2/3 innings above Double-A, so this is going to be very new territory. We'll see how he handles it.

The Twins have been needing some help lately, and finally it's here, albeit in the form of a group of unproven and inexperienced youngsters. This team has counted on surprise contributions to get to where they are at this point, so why not a few more?