An Injury Away: AL East Prospects Who Could Get The Call

Yankees-I wrote previously that the Yankees are looking to get younger and that catching prospect Jesus Montero could be used as their DH should Nick Johnson hit the DL, which is almost a certainty. Montero is a Top 10 prospect who some think may not be able to stick at catcher.

Red Sox-the Red Sox have made moves to improve their defense this offseason, with the acquisition of Mike Cameron to play centerfield, moving Jacoby Ellsbury to leftfield. In rightfield, the Sox have injury prone JD Drew. Much like Nick Johnson, Drew is almost a certainty to get hurt in 2010. Should he do so, and the Sox are looking for more pop, they could call up AAA outfielder Ryan Kalish. Kalish went 13-56-.271-.341-.440 in 391 at bats at AA Portland last season. Another few months in AA/AAA, and Kalish could be ready for a call come July.

Rays-Another top 10 prospect is Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings. Jennings has been compared to be the Carl Crawford clone, as he some some pop to go with his outstanding speed and batting eye. He went 11-62-52-.318-.401-.487 with 31 doubles and 10 triples between AA and AAA in 2009. He should replace Crawford in the Rays outfield once Crawford is dealt, or should an injury occur amongst the Rays outfielders.

Orioles-the O's appear to be keeping 3B warm for prospect Josh Bell, as they were unwilling to sign any third baseman to a deal longer than a year this offseason. Bell went 20-76-.295-.376-.516 in 2009, and should be ready for a call should Miguel Tejada finally not play 162 games in a season and land on the DL.

Blue Jays-before the huge offseason deal sending Roy Halladay to the Phillies in return for three prospects including pitching prospect Kyle Drabek, the Phillies were looking forward to Drabek being in their rotation at some point in 2010. Drabek is coming off a breakout season in 2009, going 12-3 with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP to go along with his 150 K's, and 3.0 K/BB ratio. Drabek may only need a few months in AA/AAA in 2010 before getting the call to Toronto who are clearly in rebuilding mode.