MLB Prospects: 10 Players on the Verge of a Big League Promotion

Nearly two weeks into the Minor League baseball season, there are several notable players who are on the verge of a promotion. While some teams are merely waiting for the right time to call up their big league ready prospect, others are waiting for a positional opening by way of injury or poor performance.

Here, I’ve identified 10 players tearing up the minors—either on the mound or at the plate—who could strengthen their respective team in the immediate future.

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Triple-A: .407/.459/.593, 12 R, 5 XBH, 6 RBI, 32 TB, 11/6 K/BB, 4-for-5 SB

In case you’ve had your head buried in sand, Mike Trout is destroying Triple-A.  He has no business at that level and needs to be starting everyday in the Angels’ outfield, regardless of whom he may displace. 

The Angels currently employ Bobby Abreu (.231/.313/.385), Tori Hunter (.300/.349/.375), Peter Bourjos (.233/.258/.367) and Vernon Wells (.262/.279/.367), so they will inevitably have to come to terms with benching one of their overpaid outfielders. If they’re so concerned about the early lack of production, then why not get Trout in there to jump-start the offense? 

#FreeMikeTrout

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs

Triple-A: .400/.423/.720, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 36 TB, 9/2 K/BB

Thus far, Rizzo has been feasting on Pacific Coast League pitching. He already has two multi-homer games in the team’s first 12 contests, and shows no signs of slowing down. He has shown improvement against left-handed pitching—which has been one of the knocks against him—and is putting together consistent, quality at-bats. 

Unfortunately, he’s blocked at first base in Chicago by Bryan LaHair. If there’s an injury, or if the Cubs can shift LaHair to left field, Rizzo will be ready to take his power bat to the Show.

Matt Adams, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

Triple-A: .400/.434/.660, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 33 TB, 11/3 K/BB

If the Cardinals strictly needed a first baseman and not a player capable of handling multiple positions, they would have promoted Adams instead of Matt Carpenter. However, it will be hard for them to keep Adams in Triple-A much longer if he maintains his current offensive production.

Adams has excelled at every minor league level since entering the Cardinals' system, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t further his production at the big league level. 

Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Triple-A: .333/.347/.583, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9/1 K/BB

With Kevin Youkilis struggling and facing illogical adversity from his manager, Middlebrooks may arrive earlier than expected. While he’s not a sound hitter by any means, he has the thump that the Red Sox lineup desperately needs with both Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford on the disabled list. 

Derek Norris, C, Oakland Athletics

Triple-A: .326/.306/.652, 7 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10/0 K/BB

With Kurt Suzuki struggling, and Anthony Recker and Josh Donaldson on the active roster as his backups, Norris could offer considerably more production from the bottom half of the order.

He’s deviated from his extremely patient approach of years previous, but has started to flash more power. Now, it’s just a matter of if the A’s want him in the lineup on a daily basis, or if they would prefer Norris in a reserve role.

Brian Dozier, 2B, Minnesota Twins

Triple-A: .362/.434/.532, 5 2B, HR, 25 TB, 8/6 K/BB

Let’s be real: Outside of his defensive value, Alexi Casilla is not a viable option at second base for the Twins.

Dozier, who nearly made the team out of spring training, has been raking at Triple-A and seems ready to contribute at the big league level. He has the potential to hit for a solid average while providing a surprising amount of power at a premium position.

Wily Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Triple-A: 3 GS, 17 IP, 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 13/6 K/BB, 1.85 GO/AO, .155 BAA

Peralta continues to patiently wait at Triple-A for a promotion, and may force the Brewers’ hand in the near future. The team’s top prospect has been stifling opposing hitters and generating more weak contact than swing-and-misses, which is a huge step in the right direction. 

He struggled during spring training, but has clearly found a groove over his first three starts. It’s only a matter of time until one of the Brewers' starters suffers an injury, and Peralta will be more than ready to fill in. 

Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland Athletics

Triple-A: 3 GS, 18 IP, 2.50 ERA, 17/4 K/BB, 1.83 GO/AO, .296 BAA

Parker was cut from spring training and assigned to Triple-A after a few rocky starts in which he struggled with his fastball command. After three starts, he’s back on the right track, registering 17 strikeouts to just four walks and a 1.83 ground out to fly out ratio over 18 innings.

The Athletics' No. 4 and No. 5 starters Graham Godfrey and Tyson Ross are far from locks in the rotation, so Parker’s season debut could come sooner rather than later.

Scott Van Slyke, 1B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Triple-A: .412/.492/.706, 6 doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 36 TB

The Dodgers’ 2011 Minor League Player of the Year just continues to rake. Placed on the team’s 40-man roster toward the end of last season, Van Slyke’s bat is big league ready. But despite logging considerable playing time at both first base and left field, he lacks a true position. 

There will need to be an injury to either Juan Rivera or James Loney for Van Slyke to get the call.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Double-A: 3 GS, 15.2 IP, 0.57 ERA, 20/12 K/BB, .154 BAA

Bauer is making a strong case to join Arizona's rotation with dominance at Double-A level. While he still has minor command issues to iron out, mainly with his fastball, his stuff has been flat-out nasty. 

At this point, the ball is in the Diamondbacks’ court. Josh Collmenter’s ongoing struggles could open the door for Trevor Bauer in the near future.