Who the Tigers will call up ...
It's still four weeks until roster limits expand and the Tigers can begin to call up some of the minor-league talent that they're counting on to contribute next year and beyond.
But it doesn't hurt to guess at who they might be summoning:
Scott Sizemore is automatic. The team's top prospect at second base, and the player most likely to begin the season at second in 2010, has hit well at Triple A Toledo and will be arriving for an audition.
Zach Simons, a right-hand reliever whom the Tigers got in a trade with Colorado for Jason Grilli, has thrown very well at Double A Erie and at Toledo. He likely gets a ticket to Detroit for September.
Chris Lambert, a right-hand starter who has been with the team before, could get a promotion and could find himself pitching long relief down the stretch.Jeff Larish will certainly be headed back as bench support and as a left-hand bat that can be used in the regular lineup if Miguel Cabrera needs a break at first, or Brandon Inge is missing at third base.
Wilkin Ramirez, the powerful, speedy outfielder at Toledo, seems sure to be headed north.
Casper Wells could get a shot after a strong second half at Erie. He looks like an outfielder who will be playing his way onto the team as quickly as 2010.
I think Robbie Weinhardt, a right-hand reliever at Erie, has a better chance than even the more highly rated Cody Satterwhite at getting a look next month. Both are pitching at Erie. Weinhardt hasn't had a serious lull since he was signed a year ago.
Brent Dlugach, the Toledo shortstop, could definitely find himself in a Tigers uniform in September. It's also possible Alex Avila, the Erie catcher and top Tigers catching prospect, will be invited up. Beyond them, Brennan Boesch is green. Cale Iorg has at least another long year in the minors ahead of him. Ryan Strieby is hurting with a bad wrist.
The Tigers generally don't like to add a lot of players in September. They want only thoroughbred prospects who can legitimately help. But they have more of those kinds of players than they normally present in most years.
And that's why I think the 2009 call-ups could be among the most interesting we've ever seen.
