5 Phillies minor leaguers most deserving of a September call-up

It's almost that time of year again when Major League Baseball rosters expand for the final month of the season. The annual September roster expansions aren't as wild and wacky as they used to be, however. With teams limited to just two additional spots on the active roster, the Philadelphia Phillies' clubhouse won't be as full as it was before the rules changed in 2020.

The Phillies, like every other MLB team, will be able to expand their 26-man roster to 28 players beginning on Sept. 1. With just over a week until that happens we can start guessing who will get the call to the majors.

Which Phillies are most deserving of a call to join the big club in September?

While we all thought that Andrew Painter would make his MLB debut well before September this season, that hasn't been the case. He has struggled in Triple-A Lehigh Valley and missed the tentative July-ish window for a call-up. We're going to leave Painter off this list because while he's still one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, he hasn't done enough to "deserve" the promotion. Although, there's a very real possibility that he finds his way to the Phillies before the year's out.

Alan Rangel, RHP

The Phillies will call up at least one pitcher to add to the bullpen mix, and Alan Rangel has already proven himself worthy of a spot on the big league roster. The 28-year-old right-hander has been shuffled back and forth between Philadelphia and Allentown as few times this season.

Rangel sports a 2.45 ERA in 11 MLB innings this season and can provide long relief. He has been great since his MLB debut in early June, when he surrendered two runs on three hits (including a home run) and two walks against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He recorded just one strikeout over three innings in that outing. In his subsequent four appearances, Rangel allowed just one run with seven strikeouts in eight innings, including a five-inning outing against the Atlanta Braves.

After carrying a 5.63 ERA as a starter through May 20 in Triple-A, Rangel has a 3.35 ERA over the last three months, around his call-ups to the big leagues. In two starts for the IronPigs since his last demotion, he has allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Garrett Stubbs, C

It has been weird watching the Phillies without Garrett Stubbs this season. Previously a staple as J.T. Realmuto's backup since 2022, Stubbs found himself in Triple-A this season thanks to Rafael Marchán being out of options. He didn't whine or complain, he just went to Lehigh Valley and made the best of a tough situation.

In 68 games as the IronPigs' backstop, Stubbs is batting .266 with a .754 OPS, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and five steals. He's picked up his offensive production over the last month-plus as well. In 17 games since July 12, Stubbs is hitting .302 with an .848 OPS, six doubles, two homers and 14 RBIs.

It's easy to imagine Phillies players wanting Stubbs' infectious energy on the bench during the final push to a second NL East title and the postseason.

Max Lazar, RHP

Another bullpen option is right-hander Max Lazar. He has already spent a lot of the season in the Phillies' relief corps after being called up on May 19. The 26-year-old has a 2.79 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 19 1/3 Triple-A innings this season. He threw two innings in his first outing since his recent demotion, allowing one unearned run to score.

Lazar had a 4.78 ERA in 32 innings in the majors before being sent back to the IronPigs. However, most of that damage came in a six-run outing against the Chicago White Sox on July 28 and three more runs against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 17. Outside those appearances Lazar pitched to a 2.37 ERA in 30 1/3 frames.

Keaton Anthony, 1B

Undrafted 24-year-old Keaton Anthony has made a name for himself this season (subscription required), as documented by The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes. After crushing Double-A pitching with a .330 batting average and .902 OPS in 49 games, he moved to Triple-A and has continued doing almost the same thing. In 33 games in Lehigh Valley, Anthony is batting .313 with an .807 OPS.

Now ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 15 Phillies prospect, Anthony hasn't developed his home run stroke, with just six homers in 82 games between the two levels this season. He does have plenty of line-to-line pop, however, with 31 doubles to his credit.

The biggest problem is that Anthony is a right-handed hitter. Despite the Phillies seemingly always looking for more help from that side of the plate, he only plays first base, so an invitation to the majors is unlikely.

Justin Crawford, OF

Obviously No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford is on this list. He has been deserving of a call-up for his MLB debut all season. All he has done in his first year in Triple-A is hit .326 with an .837 OPS, plus he has been improving his defense in center field.

Like Anthony, Crawford has had a tough time elevating the ball to see his power translate into home runs. However, he does have a career-best 22.1 percent line drive rate, leading to 23 doubles and four triples to go along with his four homers in 104 games.

The former first-round draft pick is walking at an 11.7 percent clip, helping build his .406 on-base percentage. When he gets on base he's always a threat to steal with his 75-grade speed, swiping 42 bags in 53 attempts.

With no concerns about Crawford using up his rookie eligibility, the Phillies need to get him a taste of the big leagues this year. The experience of being with the team for the drive to the playoffs and another NL East title will be invaluable to help him prepare to make the Opening Day roster in 2026.

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