Top MLB Prospect Call-Up Radar Report, Week 6
The 2015 season is only a month old, but already a number of notable prospects have received call-ups to the major leagues. Undoubtedly, there are more to come—and soon.
Highly regarded youngsters like Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Roberto Osuna and Archie Bradley have been seeing regular action for their respective clubs for quite some time now. Others, like Carlos Rodon and Michael Lorenzen, are still getting their feet wet.
In the past week or so, the big prospect promotion belonged to Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets. Arguably the top pitching prospect in the sport, the 22-year-old with upper-90s heat looked very strong through his first five frames against the Chicago Cubs in his debut Tuesday before faltering in the sixth.
Beyond that, the Houston Astros brought up outfielder Preston Tucker, who had been leading the minors in homers and RBI at the time of his call-up, in order to help cover while George Springer was out with a concussion.
More young impact talent will join the mix, too, particularly with MLB's Super Two date about a month away. Who will be the next to reach the major leagues? In order to predict estimated times of arrival this season, we've classified the prospects on this list using the following scale:
Red: September call-up at best
Orange: Second-half call-up
Yellow: Call-up within a month
Green: Call-up within a week/call-up is imminent
Here's a look at the top-prospect call-up report for Week 6 of the 2015 MLB season.
Others on the Cusp
1 of 11
Marco Gonzales, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Cincinnati Reds
Matt Reynolds, SS, New York Mets
Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Kansas City Royals
Henry Owens, LHP, Boston Red Sox
Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
A.J. Cole, RHP, Washington Nationals
Brian Johnson, LHP, Boston Red Sox
Nick Tropeano, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Cleveland Indians
Kyle Kubitza, 3B, Los Angeles Angels
Carlos Sanchez, INF, Chicago White Sox
Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Cleveland Indians
Alex Meyer, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Matt Wisler, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Stephen Piscotty, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Steven Matz, LHP, New York Mets
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, Texas Rangers
Hunter Strickland, RHP, San Francisco Giants
Tim Cooney, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Kendall Graveman, RHP, Oakland Athletics
Miguel Castro, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Jon Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies
Hector Olivera, 2B/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Ketel Marte, SS, Seattle Mariners
Joey Wendle, 2B, Oakland Athletics
Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez, RHP, Texas Rangers
Sean Nolin, LHP, Oakland Athletics
Corey Knebel, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Jacob Lindgren, LHP, New York Yankees
Mark Appel, RHP, Houston Astros
Peter O'Brien, C/1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jake Thompson, RHP, Texas Rangers
Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Aaron Nola, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
Luis Severino, RHP, New York Yankees
2 of 11
2015 Stats (Double-A): 1-2, 3.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 34:8 K:BB (28.0 IP)
After popping onto multiple top-100 prospect lists with a big 2014, Luis Severino looked capable of putting himself in position to make his big league debut in 2015. That possibility appears to have hit a snag.
The 21-year-old right-hander had been throwing well for the most part for Double-A Trenton, with that 34-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio being especially impressive. Severino's last outing on May 10 ended after only two innings, however, and he went on the minor league disabled list two days later with an injury to his right middle finger, according to Kyle Franko of the Trentonian.
While there are no other specifics on the injury and no timetable for a return, it seems unlikely that Severino would be able to make it back and get in enough work and development to reach New York before the All-Star break, or perhaps even before September.
Although the Yankees could have a need for an arm at some point this summer given the state of their rotation, Severino has made only a dozen starts above A-ball.
Radar: Red
Jose Peraza, 2B, Atlanta Braves
3 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): .305/.348/.366, 16 R, 5 XBH (0 HR), 12 RBI, 14 SB, 13:8 K:BB (149 PA)
If Jace Peterson has anything to say about it, Jose Peraza will have to hang onto the "second baseman of the future" tag for a little while longer.
Peraza, 21 and in his first shot at Triple-A, is doing his part to get to Atlanta. In fact, the high-contact speedster has jumped his batting average from .263 to .305 this month, while also swiping nine of his 14 bases. But the rebuilding Braves don't have to rush.
Peterson, however, is the club's current second-sacker, and he has been hitting lately, too, pushing his average to .284 and on-base percentage to .352 with a solid start to May. Sure, that comes with no power—just two extra-base knocks—but it's easier for the Braves to give the 25-year-old a longer look as long as he's holding his own.
Radar: Orange
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Justin Nicolino, LHP, Miami Marlins
4 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): 3-0, 1.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 25:11 K:BB (40.2 IP)
There's no immediate opening for a spot in the Miami Marlins rotation, and the team will get back Henderson Alvarez and then Jose Fernandez, too, at some points in the not-too-distant future. But that doesn't mean Justin Nicolino isn't readying for his big league debut, which is likely to come this year.
The 23-year-old southpaw has been on the prospect radar practically ever since the Toronto Blue Jays drafted him in Round 2 in 2010. In his third season with the Marlins after coming over as part of the massive Jose Reyes-Mark Buehrle-Josh Johnson trade from November 2012—Alvarez also was involved—Nicolino now is at Triple-A for the first time.
What he lacks in stuff (6.6 K/9 career), Nicolino makes up for in control and command (1.6 BB/9), an ability to keep the ball in the park (0.4 HR/9) and the durability to pitch plenty of innings. Having thrown a career-high 170.1 frames in 2014, he's already up to 40.2 through his initial seven starts this season.
Should the Fish need another arm to tide them over until Fernandez returns around the All-Star break, Nicolino could do the job.
Radar: Orange
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
5 of 11
2015 Stats (Double-/Triple-A): .373/.451/.698, 28 R, 25 XBH (7 HR), 32 RBI, 15 SB, 27:17 K:BB (144 PA)
Carlos Correa's meteoric rise to the Houston Astros took yet another step this past week when he jumped to Triple-A Fresno. Hey, there were only so many Texas League categories he could grab the lead in, right?
The 20-year-old 2012 first overall selection, Correa might not be long for the minors' highest level if he keeps playing like he has so far this year—or at any point in his pro career, really. That said, he recognizes this is a new challenge, and one he needs to pass if he's going to help the Astros while they're without injured shortstop Jed Lowrie.
"When you get to somewhere new, you feel like you've got to show everybody what you've got," Correa told Josh Jackson of MiLB.com. Correa has plenty to show, and the folks in Houston might not have to wait much longer.
Radar: Yellow
Andrew Heaney, LHP, Los Angeles Angels
6 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): 5-0, 3.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 36:10 K:BB (37.1 IP)
Andrew Heaney came up short in his spring bid to crack the Los Angeles Angels five-man, but he's all but guaranteed to make some starts for them in 2015.
The 23-year-old lefty, who was the ninth pick in 2012, happened to have been traded twice in one day this offseason and required the Angels to surrender stalwart second baseman Howie Kendrick in the second deal to get him to the Halos. So Heaney is expected to be an impact arm for them and soon.
While he has been a bit all over the map so far for Triple-A Salt Lake, Heaney doesn't have anything left to prove in the minors and might be better off making his mistakes and adjustments in The Show.
He'll get his chance to be back in the bigs again one way or another, whether it's injury or ineffectiveness that befalls one of the Angels' current starters. In that regard, keep close tabs on 2014 revelation/regression candidate Matt Shoemaker's performance (6.61 ERA).
Radar: Yellow
Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
7 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): .262/.350/.361, 12 R, 9 XBH (1 HR), 11 RBI, 7 SB, 17:22 K:BB (142 PA)
Look, the Cleveland Indians have to do something. A team many expected would be a contender again—and a certain publication thought might even be a World Series champion—has gotten off to a 12-20 start that has them settled into last place in the AL Central.
What's worse, the Indians' biggest problem this season is the very same one from last—defense, or lack thereof. Going by defensive efficiency, a metric that measures the percentage of time a team converts balls in play into outs, Cleveland gets it done only 64 percent of the time—worst in baseball.
On top of all that, the Indians are getting next to nothing out of current shortstop Jose Ramirez, both offensively (.479 OPS) and even defensively. Speculation has begun that Ramirez might need to regain his confidence in the minors.
Regardless of Ramirez's fate, it soon will be time for Francisco Lindor in Cleveland. The 21-year-old 2011 first-rounder remains a work in progress offensively, but he is showing improved plate discipline at Triple-A after a quarter-season stint there to end 2014. And most importantly, Lindor's superb D will bring an immediate upgrade for a club that sorely needs it.
"[Lindor is] not yet to the point of dominating that level and that pitching, but he's progressing well in that respect," general manager Chris Antonetti said, per Chris Assenheimer of the the Chronicle-Telegram. "We still expect him to be a very good player for a very long time. The only question is when that will happen. And that timing isn't now."
The guess here is the small-market Indians are trying to wait until Lindor will no longer be eligible for Super Two status, meaning about another month or so. But can they afford to keep the status quo at short that long?
Radar: Yellow
Rusney Castillo, OF, Boston Red Sox
8 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): .280/.345/.340, 5 R, 3 XBH (0 HR), 4 RBI, 4 SB, 7:5 K:BB (55 PA)
Bothered by multiple injuries already this year, Rusney Castillo hasn't yet gotten going at Pawtucket, which might explain why the Boston Red Sox passed over him to bring up Jackie Bradley when they recently demoted Allen Craig.
But let's be honest: Although Bradley is a former top prospect, he never has translated his minor league success (.296/.394/.457) to the majors (.193/.266/.275 in 539 PA). And Castillo is the big-league-ready 27-year-old former star in Cuba's Serie Nacional whom the club inked to a record $72.5 million deal last August.
The likelihood is that Bradley will have a short leash to show something and/or veteran DL-stint-waiting-to-happen Shane Victorino will get injured again, at which point Castillo will make his 2015 debut. Provided he doesn't bomb from there, he should be up for good.
Radar: Green
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Boston Red Sox
9 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): 3-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 34:5 K:BB (34.2 IP)
Between the recent change at pitching coach from Juan Nieves to Carl Willis and the even more recent possible injury/mechanical issues to right-hander Justin Masterson, it's about time the Boston Red Sox made some rotation alterations.
After all, the club has an AL-worst 4.90 ERA overall, and the starters have been the brunt of the problem with an aggregate 5.65 ERA that is the worst in baseball.
Enter Eduardo Rodriguez, who is one of three MLB-ready left-handers the Red Sox could call upon for a potential spark, along with Henry Owens and Brian Johnson. The 22-year-old Rodriguez is highlighted here because not only does he have the most upside of the three, but he's also throwing the best right now.
Although he made only 78 pitches in his outing for Pawtucket on Wednesday, Rodriguez probably won't be able to go when Masterson's spot comes around next on Sunday, which could put long man Steven Wright in line to start. After that, however, it simply might be a matter of time before Rodriguez is in Boston.
Radar: Green
Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
10 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 18:5 K:BB, 8 SV (15.0 IP)
In case you haven't noticed, the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen is not good, as proved by their 4.45 ERA, which is seventh-worst in baseball. Closer Addison Reed has blown as many (two) as he has saved (two) and sports a 7.20 ERA, while presumed closer-in-waiting Evan Marshall was so bad (6.08) that he was just demoted to the minors.
Really, other than veteran submariner Brad Ziegler and converted starter Randall Delgado, none of the D-backs relievers look stable, which is why Arizona should consider promoting Jake Barrett sooner than later.
The 23-year-old right-hander has notched eight saves at Triple-A this year and 71 in total since being drafted in the third round in 2012. Another hiccup or two might be all it takes to get Barrett to the desert for some late-inning work to try to improve a pen that already has registered a whopping six blown saves.
Radar: Green
Maikel Franco, 1B/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
11 of 11
2015 Stats (Triple-A): .350/.372/.540, 14 R, 17 XBH (4 HR), 23 RBI, 2 SB, 24:6 K:BB (145 PA)
Everything is aligning just so for Maikel Franco's inevitable return to the major leagues—which could perhaps happen even by the end of this very week.
First, the Philadelphia Phillies just this week sent down incumbent third baseman Cody Asche to Triple-A to transition to left field, which is where he'll be playing from now on.
Second, once May 15 hits—that's this Friday—service time is no longer an issue. As Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia points out:
"Keeping Franco in the minors until then allows the Phillies to push back his potential free agency until after the 2021 season. If Franco comes to the majors before then he could accumulate enough service time to become a free agent after the 2020 season. For a rebuilding team not expected to win for at least another couple of years that extra year of control is valuable.
"
And third, the 22-year-old Franco, who played 16 games for the Phillies last September, is in the middle of a tear, going 17-for-37 (.459) with three home runs and 12 RBI over his current nine-game hitting streak.
In other words, the timing is just right. Look for Franco to arrive as soon as Friday, if not by the weekend.
"He got his feet wet a little last year," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said to Salisbury. "I think that was good to get an understanding for what it's like to be in the big leagues and have a little bit of a precursor. The next time we bring him to the big leagues, it should be for good, we hope."
Radar: Green
Statistics are accurate through Wednesday, May 13, and courtesy of MLB.com, MiLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.
To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11.
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