September Prospect Watch: NL West

Welcome to September Prospect Watch, where we look at prospect types who could see big league playing time after rosters expand.

Arizona Diamondbacks
RP Kevin Munson

Munson has a nice sinker and slider, and he should be able to perform well as soon as he comes up. Munson’s sinker sits low-90s and can touch 95, and his slider can be a legitimate out pitch. Munson may have troubles against left-handed hitters, but he can serve in middle relief for the duration of his career.

Los Angeles Dodgers
RP Yimi Garcia

Outside of Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers haven’t had much in the way of a reliable right-handed reliever this year. Garcia has yet to make it out of Double-A, but he’s struck out 79 batters in his first 57.1 innings this year, and has a live fastball and somewhat deceptive delivery. A good September could force Garcia onto the Dodgers postseason roster and into the back of the bullpen in 2014.

San Francisco Giants
OF Francisco Peguero and RP Heath Hembree

Peguero has already been called up, but I’m counting him anyway because I’m a coward. Once the Giants finally admit to themselves that they’re done for the year, Peguero should get regular playing time. Peguero is never going to be a huge fantasy threat, but he could be a plug-n-play guy over the next few years if the Giants allow the right-hander to accumulate ABs.

Hembree has been the Giants’ AAA closer for much of the last two seasons, and he is considered to be all but guaranteed to make the big league squad. Hembree throws hard and features a slutter, and he should be able to prove himself and make the bullpen in Spring Training.

San Diego Padres
SP Burch Smith and OF Reymond Fuentes

Smith has already pitched in six big league games, and although he didn’t do well, he has quite a future ahead of him and could make a start or two down the stretch, as well as appear out of the bullpen to help get his feet under him.

Fuentes has already been called up and is playing in the bigs. Fuentes is a great guy to look at if you’re hunting for steals down the stretch.

Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have already called up both Charlie Culberson and Chad Bettis, and there’s not a whole lot left in the way of ready prospects. Culberson is going to have to fight with Josh Rutledge for the future of second base, which could also involve Trevor Story.