MLB Prospects: Highly Touted Prospects on the Verge of a Big-League Promotion

With less than a month until the All-Star break, 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.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Triple-A: 4-0, 42 IP, 2.79 ERA, .252 BAA, 51 K/20 BB (7 GS)

After dominating Double-A, Bauer is doing the same at Triple-A Reno, where he is yet to lose a game in seven starts. His command may not improve as quickly as the organization hopes, but his stuff continues to be electric and the right-hander has nothing left to prove in the minors.

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs

Triple-A: .350/.413/.712, 41 XBH (23 HR), 173 TB, 49 K/22 BB (66 G)

Enjoying an absolutely monster season at Triple-A Iowa, it’s no secret that Rizzo will be called up any day now by the Cubs. The biggest hint came at the beginning of the week, when the team gave their normal first baseman, Bryan LaHair, some playing time in the outfield.

When the Cubs finally do call up their left-handed slugger, they’ll want him to play everyday, not platoon with LaHair or be occasionally spelled by Jeff Baker.

Perhaps what’s most impressive about Rizzo’s season is that against lefties, he’s batting .319/.380/.694 with eight home runs in 72 at-bats. 

Travis D’Arnaud, C, Toronto Blue Jays

Triple-A: .330/.378/.583, 36 XBH (15 HR), 53 K/19 BB (63 G)

After batting .282 in April, d’Arnaud has been on fire since the beginning of May, and is on pace to set career highs in nearly every offensive category. However, with current Blue Jays’ backstop J.P. Arencibia batting .224/.261/.400 through 57 games, d’Arnaud may not get the chance to eclipse his minor-league totals.

Not only is he a more advanced hitter, d’Arnaud is also superior defensively.

If the organization ultimately needs to move Arencibia for a starting pitcher, they have a top-notch replacement waiting for the call at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Ryan Wheeler, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Triple-A: .366/.404/.575, 32 XBH (10 HR), 67 RBI, 54 K/20 BB (69 G)

The Diamondbacks have received limited production from their third baseman this season, as Ryan Roberts (.245/.295/.370; 60 G) is in the midst of a down year, and Josh Bell (.184/.245/.286; 18 G) is simply not a long-term option.

Ryan Wheeler, on the other hand, is absolutely raking at Triple-A Reno, as his .366 batting average is third-best in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, and he paces the circuit with 67 RBI.

He does tend to struggle at times against left-handers, but something has to be done about the team’s third-base situation.

Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Triple-A: 4-0, 33.2 IP, 2.41 ERA, .248 BAA, 34 K/10 BB (6 G; 5 GS)

Since his promotion to Triple-A prior to his May 18^th start, Odorizzi has been outstanding in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The right-hander is yet to allow more than three earned runs in a start and has fanned seven or more hitters in three of his six outings.

Having surpassed left-handed Mike Montgomery on the organizational depth chart, and considering that Danny Duffy will be sidelined for at least the next year following Tommy John surgery, Odorizzi could be making his debut in the near future.

Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City Royals

Triple-A: .315/.404/.661, 20 XBH (11 HR), 29 K/18 BB (34 G)

After a mini-slump, Myers is back at it as he continues to post gaudy offensive numbers at Triple-A. I expected him to have an all-around bounce-back season, but definitely not this impressive.

His hitting and power tools have been on full display this season, and his plate discipline has actually improved following his promotion to Triple-A.

Much like teammate Jake Odorizzi, his big-league debut isn’t far away.

Danny Hultzen, LHP, Seattle Mariners

Double-A: 8-3, 75.1 IP, 1.19 ERA, .151 BAA, 79 K/32 BB (13 GS)

After not allowing an earned run over his final 27.2 innings at Double-A, Hultzen was recently promoted to Triple-A Tacoma where he is likely to make several starts before receiving a promotion to the major leagues.

The southpaw has been one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season, and I fully expect him to have similar success with the Mariners.

Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Triple-A: 4-6, 66 IP, 6.00 ERA, .306 BAA, 73 K/31 BB (14 GS)

Miller has had a disappointing season this year at Triple-A Memphis, but I honestly think it’s a product of him being bored and not challenged.

The Cardinals may need to just promote him to the big leagues rather than consider a demotion to Double-A.

Either way, he’s still striking out plenty of hitters and walking few, so there’s still something positive to take away from his lackluster season.

Donnie Joseph, LHP, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: 1-0, 1 SV, 4.1 IP, 0 H, 5 K/3 BB (3 G)

After tallying 13 saves and 46 strikeouts in 30.1 innings at Double-A, Joseph was promoted to Triple-A Louisville where is yet to allow a hit.

It’s likely that the Reds will continue to push him along, although the back end of their bullpen is already a bit crowded with left-handers Sean Marshall and Aroldis Chapman.