MLB Postseason Chase: Five Prospects Who Could Impact the Races

The MLB playoffs are getting closer and many teams are still in contention. 

Since the trade deadline has passed, many teams will rely on their top prospects to help them get to the postseason.

Mike Minor—Atlanta Braves

The 2009 draft pick made his Major League debut on August 9^th, throwing six innings, striking out five, and received a no decision.  He dominated in the Minor Leagues for the last season pitching at all three levels. 

Minor is a welcome addition to a Braves rotation that needs some more stability at the back end, especially considering that they sent down inconsistent starter Kenshin Kawakami in order to open a spot for Minor on the Major League roster.

Desmond Jennings—Tampa Bay Rays

Arguably the top prospect in the Rays farm system, Desmond Jennings could help Tampa pack a powerful punch in the AL East. 

Jennings has yet to play in the Majors this season, but could be called up and provide depth and stability to the top of the Rays lineup.  He has power, speed, and a good eye that just makes him an ideal top of the lineup type of hitter.

If he does get the call, expect the Rays to excel even more as an offense and he will make them a team to beat in the American League.

Domonic Brown—Philadelphia Phillies

One of the Phillies top prospects, Brown, has been thrown into the heat of the NL East Playoff race due to the injury to Shane Victorino. Although he has been average thus far, he has shown flashes of the talent he has that has scouts considering him to be one of the Phillies best prospects. 

He has recently hit his first home run and has the potential to be a spark plug for the Phillies lineup. If the Phillies want to make it through to the postseason, they have to rely on Domonic Brown living up to his hype.

Jeremy Hellickson—Tampa Bay Rays

Jeremy Hellickson has made two starts for the Tampa Bay Rays this season and they have been spectacular. He has thrown seven innings in each of those two starts allowing only two runs total. 

He has been a big help for a Rays staff that has recently placed two of its starters, Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann, on the disabled list with shoulder injuries. In order to compete with the Yankees in the AL East, the Rays will rely heavily on Hellickson to provide quality pitching and allow for Niemann and Davis to recover from their injuries instead of being rushed.

Aroldis Chapman—Cincinnati Reds

Although Aroldis Chapman has not been called up yet, he is one of the most talked about prospects out there right now. He has the 100-MPH fastball from the left side and has been dominating in AAA. Having thrown only 90.1 innings, Chapman has 115 strikeouts and a 3.79 ERA. He does have 51 walks, though. 

The Reds have pitching depth and therefore do not need to rush him to the Majors just yet, but if the playoff race gets really tight and they are in need of a fireballer out of the bullpen, expect them to call upon Chapman. He would be something similar to what David Price did for the Rays in the 2008 postseason. 

 We all know what came out of that for the Rays, a World Series berth.