Predicting 7 Non-September Call-Ups Who Will Have Huge 2015 MLB Impact

This week we’ve seen the arrival of some of baseball’s top prospects.

Highly touted outfielder Joc Pederson debuted on the day of his promotion, Sept. 1, and he’s already received two starts in center field for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, Daniel Norris, one of the better left-handed pitching prospects in the minor leagues, should make his debut in the near future after having his contract selected by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week.

Other than those players and perhaps third baseman Maikel Franco (Philadelphia Phillies), however, there were no big-name prospects called up for the first time when rosters expanded. Therefore, I thought we’d look at some of these players and lay out why they were kept in the minor leagues and how it might affect their futures.

For the selections, I decided to stay away from guys currently playing in the minor league playoffs, especially players who are currently on a 40-man roster or will need to be added following the season. Basically, we’re looking at prospects whose chances of a September call-up officially have been ruled out.

Here are seven non-September call-ups who will have a huge MLB impact in 2015.

Jon Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies

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2014 Stats (AA): 10-5, 124.1 IP, 3.91 ERA, 1.190 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 8.2 K/9 (24 GS)

Gray’s arm strength is among the best in the minor leagues, but he dialed it back a bit this season at Double-A in favor of command. While the results weren’t spectacular, his overall feel for locating his fastball, slider and changeup were better than expected in his first full season.

Gray was shut down on Sept. 2 due to right shoulder fatigue, per The Denver Post, though it was more of a precaution than a response to a potentially serious injury. He’s still throwing bullpen sessions, and it’s possible he’ll be cleared for the second round of the Texas League playoffs should Double-A Tulsa advance. But a trip to major leagues in 2014 definitely can be ruled out.

The Rockies had Gray working on different things this season, such as his fastball command and ability to expand the zone with his secondary pitches, so the numbers aren’t as impressive as expected. Regardless, his season-long success in Double-A is very, very encouraging and has him poised to make a midseason debut in 2015.

Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

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2014 Stats (AA/AAA): .325/.438/.661, 34 2B, 43 HR, 110 RBI, 14.5 BB%, 27.3 K%, .472 wOBA

What’s there left to say about Kris Bryant?

The 22-year-old slugger put up unimaginable numbers in his first full professional season, as he led the minor leagues (qualified hitters only) in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.661), OPS (1.098) and wOBA (.472). He also ranked second in runs (118) and fourth in RBI (110), and he batted .325 with a .438 on-base percentage in 594 plate appearances.

To put it simply: Bryant was the best player in the minors this season.

But not receiving a September call-up didn’t sit well with Bryant, as both he and his agent expressed their frustrations publicly (via ESPN Chicago):

"

I think now more than ever, I’m realizing this game is a business, and all I can do is go out there and play as hard as I can and make it really hard on the guys in charge,” Bryant said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I think I did that this year. If I’m taking that mindset, then I’m not really going to be sitting there with my head down at the end of the year.

"

Though it would have been a thrill to see Bryant in the majors this season playing in the same lineup as Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Jorge Soler, it made little sense for the Cubs to unnecessarily add him to the 40-man roster and start his service clock. The team will control him for an additional year, through the 2021 season, by waiting until mid-April next year to call him up.

No hitter in the minor leagues can match Bryant’s offensive ceiling, as he projects as a perennial 35-plus home run threat capable of hitting for some average while holding down a corner position. And if all goes as expected with his development, that extra year of team control could be huge.

Carlos Rodon, LHP, Chicago White Sox

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2014 Stats (Rk/A+/AAA): 24.2 IP, 2.92 ERA, 1.338 WHIP, 4.7 BB/9, 13.9 K/9 (9 G/6 GS)

The White Sox promoted Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, to Triple-A Charlotte in mid-August less than a month after he made his professional debut in the rookie-level Arizona League.

The 21-year-old impressed at the minor leagues' highest level, posting a 3.00 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 12 innings (three starts). Over his final two starts, the southpaw fanned 15 batters in nine innings.

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, there was a "better-than-average chance" the White Sox would promote Rodon to the major leagues in September. But roster expansion came and went, and Rodon didn’t get the call.

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the decision not to promote Rodon had nothing to do with his service time or performance, per the Chicago Tribune:

"

It just wasn't the right time in his development to bring him to the big leagues … and ask him to get big-league hitters out," Hahn said Tuesday. "We are very pleased with how he finished up his first several weeks as a pro. We fully expect him to come to big-league camp next year and compete for a spot on the 2015 White Sox. That's how far along he is in his development.

"

Rodon has everything one looks for in a potential front-end starter with a durable frame, three offerings with plus-or-better potential and the type of competitive mound presence that can’t be taught. As long as he stays healthy, it shouldn’t take him long to emerge as one of baseball’s premier left-handed pitchers.

Nick Kingham, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

2014 Stats (AA/AAA): 6-11, 159 IP, 3.34 ERA, 1.214 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, 6.7 K/9 (26 GS)

Nick Kingham continued his quick rise toward the major leagues this season with a strong showing between the Double- and Triple-A levels. The 22-year-old right-hander has fared well at the more advanced level, with a 3.58 ERA, 1.102 WHIP and 65-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 88 innings, and he’s also held opposing batters to a .213 average and .598 OPS during that span.

Though Kingham isn’t a strikeout artist, he does miss enough bats where they will at least be an aspect of his game. He’s fanned nearly two less batters per nine innings this season than he did the two previous years, but that’s also a product of him being a younger pitcher at the minor’s highest levels.

Kingham has already logged 159 innings this season after accruing 143.1 in 2013, so he could still have some innings left in his arm for the final month of the regular season. That being said, it’s still highly doubtful the right-hander debuts before mid-2015.

He doesn’t have the ceiling of fellow right-handers Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, but Kingham’s deep arsenal and ability to eat innings should make him a solid No. 3 or 4 starter.

Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

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2014 Stats (Rk/AA/AAA): 3-7, 83 IP, 4.45 ERA, 1.506 WHIP, 5.3 BB/9, 8.1 K/9 (18 GS)

Bradley took a huge step forward with his command and control in 2013 between the High- and Double-A levels. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about his 2014 campaign, as the 22-year-old struggled to consistently pound the zone and had his walk rate (5.3 BB/9) regress as a result.

Manager Kirk Gibson mentioned the Diamondbacks could switch to a six-man rotation in September, which led Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic to speculate that the team could add Bradley to the rotation.

Bradley logged only 83 innings this season due to his time spent on the disabled list, so they wouldn’t have any concerns related to his workload. However, the Diamondbacks' decision to send Bradley to the Arizona Fall League means a September call-up is likely out of the question.

Bradley’s performance this season has made it clear his command, particularly his fastball command, is still a work in progress. The right-hander’s overall development hasn’t progressed as expected, but it hasn’t affected his ceiling of a No. 2 starter at maturity.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets

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2014 Stats (AAA): 9-7, 133 IP, 4.60 ERA, 1.481 WHIP, 2.91 BB/9, 9.81 K/9 (26 GS)

Syndergaard’s inflated 4.60 ERA and .293 opponents’ batting average (.378 BABIP) were products of pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, as he otherwise posted a 3.70 FIP and kept the ball in the park (0.74 HR/9). Overall, the 22-year-old held his own against older hitters while maintaining strong strikeout (9.81 K/9) and walk (2.91 BB/9) rates.

The New York Mets announced before the roster expanded that Syndergaard is unlikely to reach the major leagues before 2015, per Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, as he likely won’t have any innings left following the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

Syndergaard’s command needs further refinement, and he’ll likely begin 2015 back in Triple-A, but the stuff and durability still suggest impact starter once fully developed.

D.J. Peterson, 3B, Seattle Mariners

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2014 Stats (A+/AA): .297/.360/.552, 31 2B, 31 HR, 111 RBI, 8.2% BB%, 21.2% K%, .311 wOBA (123 G)

Regarded as the most advanced college hitter in the 2013 draft class, D.J. Peterson’s mature approach and potential for plus hit and power tools already have him moving quickly through the Seattle Mariners’ system. And after hitting 31 home runs and 31 doubles in his first full professional season, the 22-year-old will have everyone’s attention entering 2015.

Peterson was promoted to Double-A Jackson in late June after posting a .997 OPS with 18 home runs and 73 RBI in 65 games at High-A High Desert. He cooled off a bit at the more advanced level, batting .261/.335/.473 in 58 games, but he still hit 13 home runs and eight doubles to go along with 38 RBI during that span.

Peterson was a call-up candidate due to his monster numbers this season and the fact that the Mariners aren’t scared to push their prospects ahead of schedule. He didn’t get the call this year, but it shouldn’t be long until Peterson becomes a fixture in Seattle’s lineup.

Stats courtesy of Fangraphs unless otherwise noted.