MLB Prospects Ready to Make the Jump to the Big Show in 2012

Trevor Bauer of the Arizona Diamondbacks is one of several prospects ready to make the jump to the major leagues in 2012.

Each season, teams bring up their top prospects to add a much needed spark to their lineup or pitching staff.

The promotion creates a buzz around both the team and the prospect, making for an exciting time in baseball.

Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, Will Middlebrooks of the Boston Red Sox and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals have already gotten the call in 2012, and each has put together several highlights early on in their young careers.

The following players all deserve to be called up at some point in 2012, whether it be as an injury replacement, after the All-Star break or even as a September call-up. 

Trevor Bauer, Arizona Diamondbacks

Trevor Bauer has absolutely outstanding stuff.

He commands his mid-90s fastball very well, which he uses to get ahead in the count to put hitters away with his strong changeup and breaking balls.

Bauer is currently pitching in Triple-AAA Reno after being promoted from Double-A Mobile four starts ago. On the season, he owns a 9-1 record with a 1.96 ERA.

He has struck out 91 batters in 73.1 innings.

It's safe to say that he's ready for the big show.

Bauer will spend a little more time in Reno before getting the call—assuming he continues to pitch well.

His promotion really hinges on the production the Diamondbacks get out of Joe Saunders and rookie Wade Miley.

Miley looks like the real deal so far, while Saunders is currently pitching pretty well.

If one of them falters, look for Bauer to be in Arizona.

Danny Hultzen, Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners chose Danny Hultzen with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft, but he's already as close to major league ready as a prospect can get.

Hultzen's fastball sits in the lower-90s, but has been clocked as high as 97 mph. He also achieves good sink when he pitches down in the zone.

He has great command of that fastball, which helps him to mix in his changeup and breaking balls to put hitters away.

In just his first professional season, Hultzen is already dominating at Double-A Jackson. Through 11 starts, he is 6-3 with a 1.44 ERA. He has struck out 67 batters through 62.1 innings.

The Mariners aren't competing for a division crown any time soon, so we could potentially see Hultzen in the majors sometime after the All-Star break.

This would give Hultzen the experience he needs at the major league level to be an effective starter for the club in 2013.

Imagine a rotation headlined by Felix Hernandez, Hultzen and Jason Vargas. That's a pretty solid one-two-three.

Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs top prospect Anthony Rizzo is absolutely raking in Triple-A Iowa right now.

Through 50 games, he owns a line of .356/.421/.707 with 17 home runs, 46 RBI and 13 doubles.

Based on those numbers, there's no doubting the fact that Rizzo is ready to be a productive major league hitter.

The only problem is that Bryan LaHair—the team's first baseman—is also hitting quite well for the Cubs.

LaHair owns a .313/.399/.587 line with 10 home runs and 22 RBI through his first 47 games, making it very difficult to just promote Rizzo.

The Cubs will likely look to make a trade at the deadline, whether it be to move LaHair or a corner outfielder.

In the end, I don't see Rizzo making an impact in Chicago until after the deadline. He's definitely ready, but there's isn't really a spot for him on the team at this point in time.

Leonys Martin, Texas Rangers

The only thing holding Texas Rangers prospect Leonys Martin back from a call up to the big leagues is an opening in the team's outfield.

Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy currently occupy the three spots, and each of them is producing well.

Martin is also hitting well, though. He currently owns a line of .347/.423/.520 with three home runs, 11 RBI and eight doubles.

He has also stolen seven bases, but the fact that he's been caught on six occasions shows that he needs to improve on picking his spots and reading pitchers.

Craig Gentry is currently the team's reserve outfielder, but it's unlikely that the Rangers will call up Martin to take his place. They'd rather him get regular at-bats in the minors and work the minor kinks out of his game.

Barring an unforeseen injury, we likely won't see Martin until the rosters expand in September.

Ryan Lavarnway, Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway impressed last season as a September call-up, hitting two home runs and driving in eight runs in just 39 at-bats.

He's currently behind Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach on the depth chart, though.

Thus, Lavarnway has spent the beginning of 2012 with Triple-A Pawtucket. He's hit pretty well there, putting together a line of .285/.378/.399 with three home runs and 18 RBI.

He was phenomenal in 2011, blasting 32 home runs and recording 93 RBI to go along with a line of .290/.376/.563.

Based on his power numbers, it's easy to see why the Red Sox are so high on him.

If Boston sustains an injury behind the plate at any point this season, even if it's Saltalamacchia, Lavarnway would likely become the starter.

He's definitely a better option at this point than Shoppach, but the team doesn't want him to lose out on getting everyday at-bats in the minors.

If there's no injury, we'll probably have to wait until September again.

Jedd Gyorko, San Diego Padres

Jedd Gyorko plays third base and first base for the San Diego Padres Triple-A affiliate, Tucson.

He's hitting exceptionally well in 52 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. His line of .299/.369/.498 is nothing to sneeze at, and his 11 home runs show that he has considerable power for a potential middle infielder.

Interestingly enough, he's actually been hitting better in Tucson (.358) than he did in Double-A San Antonio (.262).

Chase Headley seems to have third base locked down in San Diego for the near future, so Gyorko will be without a spot with the big club unless he can focus on becoming a full-time second baseman.

Currently, Alexi Amarista plays second for the Padres. His statistics are underwhelming at best, though.

It's been just 43 at-bats, but Amarista has driven in just two runs while hitting .163/.182/.256.

For a team lacking offense like the Padres, Gyorko would be a welcome addition to the lineup. 

Anthony Gose, Toronto Blue Jays

Anthony Gose will likely be the center fielder of the future for the Toronto Blue Jays, as soon as they realize that Colby Rasmus is not the answer.

Through 53 games, Rasmus is hitting a putrid .227/.298/.411.

Gose, on the other hand, is lighting it up at Triple-A Las Vegas.

His .302/.380/.434 line is very impressive. His three home runs, six triples and 27 RBI are very impressive. But his 24 stolen bases through just 56 games are the most impressive.

This guy is a very toolsy outfielder that projects to be a player similar to Carl Crawford, although he has the ability to hit for slightly more power.

The Jays may look to deal Rasmus at the deadline in order to make room for Gose, and quite frankly, it'd be a good decision.

The Jays find themselves in the thick of a division race early on this season, and Gose may just be their best available option in center field.

Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers

Nick Castellanos may only be playing for Lakeland, the High-A ball affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, but he's currently proving that he's ready to take his game to the big show.

Through 53 games, Castellanos is absolutely raking.

He owns a line of .403/.460/.555 with three home runs, three triples, 17 doubles and 32 RBI, while also scoring 37 runs.

His 2011 numbers are equally as impressive. He hit .312/.367/.436 with seven home runs and 76 RBI in Single-A West Michigan. 

He does need to work on his defense, though—he's already made 13 errors at third base.

A move to second base may help to speed along his progression through the Tigers system, especially considering the fact that Miguel Cabrera isn't going anywhere. Danny Worth and Ramon Santiago currently occupy the position with the big club, but neither can provide the offensive production that the 20-year-old Castellanos can.

It's still unlikely at this point, but Castellanos could be a September call-up if he keeps raking in the minors.

Travis D'Arnaud, Toronto Blue Jays

While the Toronto Blue Jays may have J.P. Arencibia catching in the majors right now, Travis D'Arnaud is making his case for a role on the team as well.

At Triple-A Las Vegas, he is hitting .322/.377/.579 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI.

Arencibia may be the more attractive option behind the plate, as he's thrown out 32 percent of basestealers as opposed to 26 percent by D'Arnaud, but Arencibia's .230 average leaves much to be desired.

There should be teams looking for a power-hitting catcher at the deadline, though, so the Jays may not have a problem finding a suitor for Arencibia.

D'Arnaud's offensive talents are currently being wasted in Triple-A. The Jays need to do something with the roster for him to have a spot on the team.

Matt Harvey, New York Mets

The New York Mets have suddenly become a strong pitching team—we'll see how long that lasts—and Matt Harvey could be the next member of a currently successful staff.

In Triple-A Binghamton, Harvey has compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.69 ERA. He has struck out 61 batters through 63.1 innings.

Harvey was also successful in 2011, his first professional season. He went 13-5 with a 3.32 ERA while striking out 156 batters in 135.2 innings.

Harvey could join the team as a reliever at some point this season. It would be wise for the team to break him in as a starter, and he could possibly take the place of rookie Jeremy Hefner if he falters.

He's got great stuff, including an electric fastball that can reach 98 mph. Although his control can be suspect at times—4.4 BB/9 this season—he could potentially be an important piece to the Mets' run at the NL East this season.