3 players who could be a spark for the Miami Marlins in September 

The Miami Marlins will have a great selection of players to call up in September and they certainly need a spark.  With the recent injuries to two veterans, they will need to fill in the gaps with available players and the September call ups could do just that.   The Marlins have had a revolving door at some positions with players getting injured continuously and so those areas of need will likely be where call ups are focused upon.  

The Marlins absolutely need another starting arm to add to their rotation and it could fall to another minor league call up with the inconsistent play of starters of late.  The Marlins just got the news, as Neil wrote, that both a starting pitcher and outfielder were going to be out for a time but having short term replacements isn’t as helpful as an additional pitcher and bat for the lineup.   

Garrett Hampson was called up to fill the gap for Garcia but the Marlins need a more powerful bat in the lineup, especially since Avisail Garcia hit between 5-7 in the lineup.   Hampson cannot fill that role and it would make more sense to have another  bat.  Johnny Cueto was put on the IL for an illness and LHP Ryan Weathers was recalled on Aug 22 and then sent back down the next day.  The Marlins need a consistent arm to help their rotation.

1B/OF Troy Johnston

Troy Johnston is the obvious choice for a September call up. He has been lights out all season and is the likely future Marlins 1B and has the stats to show it.  Johnston has been with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp for a short stint and in his 26 games he has not disappointed. Johnston has had 120 plate appearances and has 5 home runs, 9 doubles, 1 triples, and has driven in 23 runs.  Johnston’s AAA slash line is equally impressive, sitting at .368/.433/.613 with an OPS of 1.047.  The Marlins could use that production up with the big club.  

Johnston has proven all season he belongs and needs a shot with the Marlins.  His season stats through August 26 between both AA and AAA have him hitting a combined .314 with 32 doubles, 23 home runs, and 106 RBI while swiping 18 bags.  His strikeout rate is also exactly where Marlins brass likes it as it happens only 20 % of the time in AAA and below 20% combined.  September is Johnston’s time and he needs to be one of the Marlins call ups.  

SP Edward Cabrera 

This should be a no brainer.  Edward Cabrera was with the Marlins for most of the season so far and seems like he should be back.  The Marlins need pitching and Cabrera is a much better option than Weathers.  There is no doubt. The Marlins can use either a long relief pitcher or another starter to take control of the game and bring them down the stretch to make it to October.  

Cabrera is their guy and was their guy for much of the season.  Since being designated for assignment he has had 4 starts with the last one being August 23rd.  He has compiled a 2-1 record and a 2.31 ERA during that time and has averaged 6 innings per outing.   To top off his good start in AAA he has held hitters below a .200 average and has a WHIP of 1.11 and averaged 9 strikeouts per 9 innings.   He has been solid.  

The Marlins starter could bring back some of his big starts to end the year which would be a great option for the year and it would give him more big league experience.  Cabrera needs to extra innings of experience to stretch out his arm much like Eury Perez is doing.  They will need something to spark the pitching staff, and my vote is for Cabrera for a starter or Maldonado if they are looking for relief.  Frankly, they need both.