Mariners: Looking at some of the potential September call-ups

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 13: Jose Marmolejos #26 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a three run homer. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 13: Jose Marmolejos #26 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after hitting a three run homer. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Mariners prospect Brian O'Keefe
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 19: Brian O’Keefe #64 of the Seattle Mariners looks on from third base in the seventh inning during a summer workout intrasquad game at T-Mobile Park on July 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Haven’t been in the Majors (for the Mariners) before

  • Ray Kerr
  • Jantzen Witte
  • Brian O’Keefe
  • Brian Schlitter
  • Zack Weiss

There are tons of options for players that the Mariners could bring up. Heck, they could even jump Tacoma and bring someone straight up from Arkansas. Maybe someone like Steven Moyers or Tyler Herb.

For now, I want to focus on the five listed. The top of my list is the two that I think could benefit the team the most. Ray Kerr was moved to a bullpen role for this year and has been outstanding. He just moved up to AAA, and since he turns 27 in a couple of weeks, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to pull him up to the Mariners. Oh… did I mention he easily touches 99-100?

Yeah, he’s got some great stuff and would be a lot of fun to watch.

Then, there is Jantzen Witte, a journeyman who can play anywhere on the field. He’s having a great year in 2021 at age-31, hitting .302/.363/.468, with 12 HR and 14 2B. Picking someone like Witte up could be a nice darkhorse move since he can play any spot in the infield, as well as corner outfield. Why not grab another super-utility guy?

Murphy has been hitting better lately, but grabbing another catcher wouldn’t be awful. O’Keefe has shown great numbers this season in the minors, hitting .282/.355/.508 with 19 HR and 13 2B across AA and AAA this year (he’s actually slugging .508 at both levels, which is insanely cool). He’s a great fielder with a decent arm and could spell Raleigh if he struggles.

Brian Schlitter and Zack Weiss could be bullpen options as well. Schlitter is 35, and has been around plenty of teams. With a 2.51 ERA at Tacoma this year in 27 appearances, he could be a lightning in a bottle type call-up, catching him at the right time.

With Weiss, he’s got high K potential, with a 10.5 K/9 rate this year in 20 appearances in Tacoma. He’s thrown in just one appearance in the majors, and let me say this. as long as he gets an out, it’ll be his best MLB appearance.

It’ll be fun to watch and see what the Mariners come up with, and who they decide to bring up for September. It’s unlikely to be any of the young guys (sorry Brash and Williamson fans), but will likely be players already on the 40-man roster. Otherwise, you might see some older guys on there DFA’d to make room. Keep an eye out early next week to see what happens.