Gavin Floyd lost his start against Washington last Sunday, but pitched decently, allowing 3 ER in 6 IP. Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

By Mike Bornhorst, Special to SI.com

They're here.

The September call-ups are among us. In most cases they'll have little impact on the playoff hunt (I mean, really, there's no longer a pennant race, is there?). But in fantasy terms, there are some potentially impactful players to be found.

So this week we'll examine the call-ups around the National League -- viewed from the fantasy perspective, with particular focus on players activated on or after Sept. 1.

Here goes ...

Arizona Diamondbacks: Recalled RHP Dustin Nippert and INF Stephen Drew from Class AA. Recalled P Brian Bruney, C Koyie Hill, and INF Andy Green from Class AAA

Drew and Bruney are the noteworthy names here.

Being J.D. Drew's younger brother may be reason enough to sour on the young shortstop -- after all, what if fantasy frustration runs in the Drew bloodline? Stephen's one of those "toolsy" players who are difficult to pass on. He has the potential to hit double-digit homers while stealing 15-plus bases. And so far he's delivered on that promise. After an extended contract dispute, Drew reported to Class A and immediately tore the place up. However, his brief promotion to Class AA wasn't kind to the slugger. On a completely unrelated note -- he did miss some time during this, his rookie season, due to a strained back. But that's nothing to worry about. Those Drews are durable, right? Stephen's too far away from being an everyday major leaguer to be of use in all but the most competitive of fantasy leagues.

A couple of months ago Bruney was in line to collect saves. Recent history suggests he's buried in middle relief. What's 2006 hold? I dunno, but it only costs a dollar to ride the closer carousel, so why not purchase a ticket?

Atlanta Braves: Recalled RHP Jim Brower, RHP Kyle Davies, C Brayan Pena, P Anthony Lerew, and 3B Andy Marte from Class AAA.

The kiddie corps keep on coming in Atlanta. This time, it's names you're likely already familiar with.

Marte and Davies are both excellent pick-ups for next season -- their usefulness down the stretch, however, seems unclear. If all you need are a few pinch hits or long relief appearances, by all means, these are your guys. If your 2005 team needs more, shop elsewhere.

Lerew is the Atlanta youngster many may be unfamiliar with. A resilient righty, Lerew's one of those players who scouts have never viewed as a "prospect," yet produces at every level in which he's pitched. The 23 year-old is never gonna blow hitters away, but he's also never posted an ERA higher than 3.93 in the minors. He'll have a chance to compete for the fifth starter's job next season.

Chicago Cubs: Recalled RHP Sergio Mitre and LHP Rich Hill from Class AAA

By now Mitre is very familiar with the art of packing and unpacking a locker. A perennial call-up, Mitre may be one of those "Quadruple A" players. The Cubs may take a chance on him, but you don't have to.

Cincinnati Reds: Recalled RHP Allan Simpson, RHP Joe Valentine and C Miguel Perez from Class AAA

Cheer up, Reds fans. At least Ken Griffey had a good year.

Colorado Rockies: Recalled RHP Zach Day, from Class AAA. Recalled SS Clint Barmes, OF Brad Hawpe from Class AA

OK, so they're not exactly unknown rookies, but both Barmes and Hawpe have been called up from minor league rehab assignments. Both stand to see substantial playing time as the Rockies play out the season, and should be jumped on in any league where owners may have released him.

Florida Marlins: Purchased the contract of INF Robert Andino from Class AA.

It's Jeremy Hermida who drew all the attention with his pre-September call up. If you didn't bid on him now, chances are its too late. But if he's free in your keeper league what are you waiting for?

Houston Astros: Recalled RHP Travis Driskill, RHP Brandon Duckworth and RHP Scott Strickland from Class AAA.

Nope. Nope. And nope. Nice guys, no doubt. But is there a "nice guy" category in your fantasy league? And if so, how then do you determine who finishes last?

Los Angeles Dodgers: Purchased the contract of LHP Hong-Chih Kuo from Class AA. Recalled C Mike Rose from Class AAA

Rose isn't the catcher you want from the Dodgers' system -- that honor belongs to Dioner Navarro. Rose has the potential to be a safe No. 2 catcher in an NL-only league, but you can get that for a dollar on draft day.

Lefty Kou is a hard-throwing middle reliever with a 4:1 K:BB ratio. Nice to have, but not the stuff of fantasy championships. His value may increase if Eric Gagne fails to heal properly.

Milwaukee Brewers: Recalled RHP Wes Obermueller from Class AAA.

Maybe he's the fifth starter next year. Maybe. Let's worry about that during the reserve rounds of next year's draft, OK?

New York Mets: Purchased the contract of RHP Danny Graves, RHP Shingo Takatsu and LHP Tim Hamulack from Class AAA; Recalled LHP Kaz Ishii from Class AAA.

I don't care how precious saves are -- do not even think about Graves.

Takatsu, however, is another story. He performed admirably as the substitute closer for the White Sox last season, and the Mets aren't exactly in love with Braden Looper. It's unlikely Takatsu closes next year, but why not put a buck down and have the option of tossing him back into the pool next season?

As for Ishii, what you see is what you get, which is to say low strike outs and a terrible WHIP. Buyer beware.

Philadelphia Phillies: Purchased the contract of C A.J. Hinch and OF Shane Victorino from Class AAA; Recalled RHP Geoff Geary, RHP Pedro Liriano and INF Matt Kata from Class AAA. Recalled RHP Gavin Floyd from Class AA.

A.J. Hinch may be the reason why Mike Lieberthal has job security.

From this bunch, Floyd deserves our attention. He's been knocked around by major league hitters before, but the 22-year-old righty deserves the benefit of the developmental doubt. But let's not go too easy on the guy -- he did hang a 6.16 ERA in minors this season, which is a drag on any team's pitching categories. Still a prospect? Yes. But let another team in your league take that risk...

San Diego Padres: Recalled RHP Chris Oxspring, LHP Craig Breslow and 1B/OF Paul McAnulty from Class AAA.

Oxspring is a righty who's a little old to be a prospect (28), but he started playing baseball at a later age, so his skills are certainly still developing. He'll start in middle relief this season -- and likely next -- but could slide into the rotation sometime in 2006. Not necessarily a guy to pick up, but he's worth watching.

San Francisco Giants: Purchased the contracts of RHP Brian Cooper and OF Julio Ramirez from Class AAA. Recalled INF Dan Ortmeier from Class AA. Activated RHP Scott Munter from the 15-day disabled list and recalled C Justin Knoedler.

With all eyes on Barry Bonds' attempts at batting practice, do any of other Giants' players merit a second-look? I think Ortmeier does. Wait a minute, I just looked again. No, he doesn't.

St. Louis Cardinals: Recalled RHP Anthony Reyes, LHP Randy Flores, RHP Adam Wainwright, OF Skip Schumaker and OF/1B John Gall from Class AAA. Purchased the contract of 1B Chris Duncan and LHP Tyler Johnson from Class AAA.

Repeat after me: you want Anthony Reyes on your fantasy squad. I know there's the famous fantasy maxim: "there's no such thing as a pitching prospect." Well, Reyes is a pitching prospect. He's been absolutely stellar all year wherever he's pitched, and he's likely to get a shot at the starting rotation in 2006. Grab him if you can.

If you miss out on the Reyes sweepstakes, you can always "settle" for Wainwright. He's bounced back from an uninspiring 2004 season. And if the Cardinals' rotation weren't already so stacked I'd recommend Wainwright for rebuilding teams without reservation. But as it stands he is second to Reyes on the Cardinals' depth chart, making his path to the starting rotation a little less clear.

Washington Nationals: Recalled INF Rick Short, OF Brandon Watson, RHP Travis Hughes, C Keith Osik, and OF Kenny Kelly from Class AAA. Purchased 3B Ryan Zimmerman and RHP Darrell Rasner from Class AA.

Rasner's a 24 year-old righty whose pitching results refuse to let the club move him out of the rotation. With a career 3:1 K:BB ratio, control isn't the issue with Rasner, but experience is, having never pitched an inning in Class AAA. He may be given a look-see this September, but it's his performance this spring that's worth tracking. The Nationals' starting pitching is somewhat deep, making Rasner no shoe-in for the fifth-starters role in 2006.

How did Zimmerman make it to the show so quickly? Washington's first-round pick this season made the transition from UVA to MLB seem effortless. The kid's 20 years old, but don't let that scare you. The organization loves his swing and he's got the ghost of Vinny Castilla blocking him at third. Zimmerman's a great sleeper heading into 2006.

That's all for our quick trip around the National League. Next week we'll tackle the Junior Circuit.

Mike Bornhorst is a minor league talent columnist for TalentedMrRoto.com, a fantasy sports site specializing in analysis, stats and advice. Include your name and location when sending e-mails to Mike@TalentedMrRoto.com.