10 MLB prospects who could make impacts in September

September is upon us, which means Major League Baseball teams will have an additional 15 roster slots to add to their everyday offerings. While some teams use this to add further depth to their existing units and others use it to provide rest for tiring everyday options, a chosen few have truly elite prospects who can also use the time to adjust to the bigs. At the same time, these teams can get an up-close and personal glimpse of players who could be future cornerstones in their franchises.

It used to be that this prospect showcase was more or less reserved for September baseball. However, with teams more contract-conscious than ever, prospect debuts are littered throughout the year now, which makes it less of an exclusive item for this final month of the regular season. In the past month, anticipated prospects Gary Sanchez (Yankees), Dansby Swanson (Braves), Alex Bregman (Astros), Jorge Alfaro (Phillies), Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver (both Cardinals) have made their way to the majors, much to the excitement of their awaiting fan bases.

However, there are still some top prospects who will get to cut their teeth over the last 25 or so games. After all, it was just last Sept. 3 that then-top prospect Corey Seager made his MLB debut, and he has gone on to become an MVP candidate in L.A. since.

Will there another MVP option emerging this year? While nobody can predict the future, there certainly are a number of options that could potentially ascend to those heights. Here are 10 such players who could be getting the call to the big leagues for 2016’s regular-season farewell month.

10. Nick Williams, Phillies

A year after being one of the key trade chips that came over as a part of the Cole Hamels deal, Williams has had a solid sophomore season in the Phillies system, this time at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He has flashed a tantalizing all-around skill set by driving 54 extra-base hits and at times showing his full athleticism in the outfield as well. However, his contact rate is still dreadfully underdeveloped, as he has struck out 129 times in 120 games, all while gathering only 19 walks.

It seems to be his natural inclination to be an aggressive swinger, so more time in the minors may not change that. But what he lacks in patience he makes up for in raw talent. Perhaps some time with the pros at the end of this year would do him well in prepping to either compete for big league spot right away or not too long into 2017.

9. Amir Garrett, Reds

Since the former St. John’s basketball player took on baseball full time, he has steadily gotten better and better. And as a result, the Reds' decision to take the long road in allowing him to develop has paid out big time.

He dominated Double-A Pensacola, with a 1.75 ERA over 13 appearances. Since moving up to Triple-A in June he has adjusted well, continuing to throw in the mid-90s and showcasing a serviceable slider as well. While he still could use another year to develop his secondary pitches, the big 6-5 lefty is an exciting option to give some limited appearances out of the bullpen down the stretch.

8. Jesse Winker, Reds

Winker has been on cruise control throughout the minor leagues, and his coming made the decision to move Jay Bruce all that much easier. He has actually hit for a better average at the AAA level compared to Double-A Pensacola, and while his power has gone down noticeably, his contact is still solid and will translate into more power once he reaches Great American Ballpark.

He is a professional hitter now, capable of working pitch counts and drawing walks regularly, as opposed to just relying on swinging the bat to make his only impact on the box score. He profiles as the type of hitter who can be a long-term No. 2 guy in a lineup and would be ready to assume that role in short order once he makes his way to Cincinnati.

7. Josh Hader, Brewers

It has been a tale of two cities for the talented Brewers lefty. He dominated the Double-A level to such an extent that he carried an ERA under 1.00 despite being a full-time starter. But since being moved up to Triple-A Colorado Springs, he has seen his ERA fly up to 5.18 and has allowed 33 more runs than he did at the Double-A level in just nine more innings.

Part of Hader’s struggles are related to the same type of problems every pitcher has after making the state of Colorado home. But another part has been struggles with adjustments. Considering the Brewers are 20+ games out of the NL Central chase, getting a few looks at Hader to see which version of his 2015 self would translate to the majors literally could hurt nothing.

6. Austin Meadows, Pirates

This is admittedly a tough call to make because the Pittsburgh outfield is arguably the best in all of the game, and there is no specific place for him to go after a promotion. However, Meadows is the real deal, and he’s ready to compete at the next level.

He has hit at every level of the minors, carrying a .300 average from the rookie level up through Double-A. And while his average has dipped some at the Triple-A level, he continues to produce a multitude of impact outcomes. Across his full stat line on the year, he's raked in 25 doubles, 11 triples, 11 home runs, 15 stolen bases and a .554 slugging percentage.

Usually, this is the type of production that a club makes room for. But the bigger question here isn’t when — it's how?

5. Jose De Leon, Dodgers

The electric De Leon is the next in the recent line of Dodger farmhands who can make a big impact in the L.A. rotation. However, in the meantime he would also be a huge boost in working out of the L.A. bullpen. Armed with a fastball that can touch the mid-90s, he possesses a very mature change-up, which overwhelms less mature minor league hitters.

For the past two years, he has averaged greater than 11 strikeouts per nine innings and won 87.5 percent of his starts this year. The Dodgers could be seeing returns from Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir and Alex Wood this September, so why not bring up De Leon to add a new wrinkle out of the pen as well?

4. Lewis Brinson, Brewers

It has been a busy year for Brinson, who has not only swapped teams, but has also played at three different levels along the way. However, hands down his most successful stop is his most recent in the Brewers system.

Since coming over as a part of the Jonathan Lucroy deal at the trade deadline, Brinson has ripped the Pacific Coast League apart, hitting .425 and carrying an eye-popping 1.127 OPS.

Another trip in one year may be deemed a bit much, but it would be hard to blame the Milwaukee brass for wanting to put eyes on its newest talent in Miller Park before the year is up either. The athletic Brinson would be a welcomed addition to an increasingly promising rebuild within Milwaukee’s everyday lineup.

3. Ozzie Albies, Braves

Although Albies has been dispatched from his previous role as “shortstop of the future” by the recently promoted Dansby Swanson, the speedy middle infielder still has a clear role to take on at second base. While his bat has not yet made the trip from Double-A to Triple-A along with him (.393 OPS at AA Mississippi compared to a .307 mark in AAA Gwinnett), Albies is still a dynamic speed threat on the bases and boosts a slick glove as well.

Albies and Swanson should be the keystone combination for years to come in Atlanta, so pairing them up for the balance of the year would be a solid decision headed into an offseason that could be plentiful with roster turnover in the ATL.

2. J.P. Crawford, Phillies

The good people of Philadelphia have been extremely patient in waiting for their stud shortstop prospect to make his debut in the City of Brotherly Love, and he should be worth the wait. Also in all fairness, the extra seasoning has been good for the 21-year-old, who has only hit .242 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year.

But with the Phillies out of contention now and the minor league campaign winding down in the International League as well, it is a fair time to get a glimpse of Crawford in advance of next spring, when he should compete for the everyday shortstop role in Philly. Despite his low batting average, he has maintained the same good plate discipline he has demonstrated throughout his minor league career, and his tools remain as enticing as ever.

1. Yoan Moncada, Red Sox

Moncada is the most hyped player to come out of Cuba since Jorge Soler signed a nine-year deal with the Cubs in 2012, but he may very well end up being the best Cuban since Jose Fernandez. The 21-year-old is a tremendous athlete who is a natural second baseman but is in the midst of making the switch to third base so he can reach the majors quicker. And since making his professional debut last year after signing a $63 million pact, he has made good on every dollar.

At this point, it is just a matter of the organization feeling he is ready for daily duties on the hot corner, because Moncada is beyond ready. He has hit 31 doubles, six triples and 15 home runs this season between the High-A and Double-A levels. However, his greatest skill is his speed, as in two minor league seasons he has stolen 49 and 45 bases, respectively. He is a natural talent who profiles to be an immediate star upon reaching the majors, where he and Xander Bogaerts could form the best left infield duo in years.