MLB Prospects: 5 Minor Leaguers Who Have Already Received Promotions

With the promotion of Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Will Middlebrooks in recent weeks, there has inevitably been a focus on prospects nearing a big-league call-up. Therefore, it's been easy to overlook some of the movement within the minor leagues, as several notable prospects have been challenged with aggressive promotions.

Here is a look at five prospects whose hot starts have earned them a promotion to a more advanced minor-league level. 

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Evan Gattis, C/OF, Atlanta Braves

After taking a break from baseball for four years, Gattis, 25, is in the midst of his second professional season and showing that his bat is for real. Although he really doesn’t have a true position on the field—his primary position is catcher, though he's been receiving reps in the outfield—the Braves don’t seem to mind.

After batting .385/.468/.821 with 16 extra-base hits and 64 total bases for High-A Lynchburg, the Braves promoted Gattis to Double-A Mississippi, where he has continued to rake.  Through his first eight games, the right-handed hitter has collected six extra-base hits (four home runs) and is batting .323/.400/.774.  

Even Chipper Jones has been impressed with Gattis's 13 home runs and 1.273 OPS in 106 at-bats, referring to the slugger as "an animal."

Nestor Molina, RHP, Chicago White Sox

Acquired this past offseason from the Blue Jays for closer Sergio Santos, Molina immediately became the White Sox No. 2 prospect—yes, their farm system is that bleak.

Beginning the year at Double-A, Molina posted a 3-1 record with a 3.72 ERA and 25 K/5 BB rate over his first six starts. His success prompted a promotion to Triple-A this past weekend, though his first start was a bit disappointing.

Against the Toledo Mud Hens on Monday, Molina surrendered six earned runs on nine hits over four innings, as he walked one and fanned four.

Jarred Cosart, RHP, Houston Astros

Even though he wasn’t dominating at Double-A, the Astros promoted their No. 1 prospect to Triple-A after positing a 2.84 ERA with 18 K/13 BB in 19 innings.

In his first start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 8, Cosart allowed four runs on 10 hits across six innings, as he fanned five and issued two walks.

Given his struggles in 2011 (144.1 IP, 4.12 ERA, 101 K/56 BB), are the Astros making a wise decision by promoting Cosart this early in the season? 

Matt Barnes, RHP, Boston Red Sox

For all the buzz surrounding Dylan Bundy’s performance this season at Low-A, there should be equal excitement about Barnes. Prior to his promotion to High-A Salem, Barnes was absolutely dominant: 0.34 ERA with 42 strikeouts and only four walks in 26.2 innings.

In his first outing at High-A, Barnes allowed one run on four hits over six innings, as the right-hander fanned 12 batters. It’s also important to note that the UConn alumnus has registered a 2.07 GB/FB rate over 32.2 innings this season.

At this rate, he may be due for a promotion to Double-A before the All-Star break.

Josh Sale, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

The 17th overall selection in the 2010 draft, Sale had a disappointing debut in the Appalachian League last season, as he batted .210/.283/.346 over 60 games. However, the Rays must like what they’ve seen from him so far this season, as they promoted him from extended spring training to Low-A—his first full-season assignment.

Seemingly making up for lost time, Sale has responded well to the assignment, as he’s batting .429/.600/.571 with 2 K/2 BB in his first three games. He desperately needs a rebound season and, despite it being a small sample, his start at Low-A is encouraging.