San Francisco Giants: Five potential September call-ups

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KANSAS CITY, MO – JULY 24: Starting pitcher Burch Smith #64 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium on July 24, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Burch Smith

There will certainly be some pitchers among the September call-ups as well, and that could be San Francisco Giants fans first chance to get a look at Burch Smith.

Claimed off waivers on Aug. 12, Smith began the 2019 season in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

All told, he’s posted a 2.63 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 103 strikeouts in 92.1 innings at the Triple-A level in 2019. He also saw some brief time in the majors earlier this year when he was touched up for 16 hits and 11 earned runs in 12.2 innings of relief work.

The 29-year-old spent the 2018 season with the Kansas City Royals as a Rule 5 pick, posting a 6.92 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 78 innings over six starts and 32 relief appearances.

The right-hander will likely fill a relief role in September, but he’s also capable of filling in as a spot starter and as the innings start to pile up for some of the team’s young arms, it’s not out of the question to think he could start a few games.

His swing-and-miss stuff and ability to go multiple innings holds intrigue, and the front office is no doubt hoping it has uncovered another diamond in the rough with this waiver claim.