Top MLB Prospect Call-Up Radar Report, Week 7

The 2015 season is not even two months 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 Noah Syndergaard, are still getting their feet wet.

In the past week or so, the big prospect promotion belonged to Maikel Franco of the Philadelphia Phillies. The 22-year-old third baseman has started 7-of-24 (.292) with three extra-base hits, including his first big league home run, since coming back up.

Beyond that, the Houston Astros brought up right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. fresh out of Double-A, just like Washington Nationals infielder Wilmer Difo, and the Baltimore Orioles gave a start to righty Mike Wright, who turned in 7.1 scoreless innings.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sanchez has taken over the Chicago White Sox's second base job from the demoted Micah Johnson, and righties A.J. Cole and Corey Knebel came back up for the Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively.

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 7 of the 2015 MLB season.

Others on the Cusp

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With a few more good weeks at Triple-A, Dalton Pompey could be back on the Blue Jays.

Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Boston Red Sox

Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians

Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Andrew Heaney, LHP, Los Angeles Angels

Marco Gonzales, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Daniel Norris, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

Raisel Iglesias, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Jose Peraza, 2B, Atlanta Braves

Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Cleveland Indians

Justin Nicolino, LHP, Miami Marlins

Matt Reynolds, SS, New York Mets

Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Nick Tropeano, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Kansas City Royals

Jon Moscot, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Henry Owens, LHP, Boston Red Sox

Kyle Kubitza, 3B, Los Angeles Angels 

Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Cleveland Indians

Alex Meyer, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Stephen Piscotty, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

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

Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins

Jon Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies

Ketel Marte, SS, Seattle Mariners

Joey Wendle, 2B, Oakland Athletics

Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez, RHP, Texas Rangers

Sean Nolin, LHP, Oakland Athletics

Jacob Lindgren, LHP, New York Yankees

Mark Appel, RHP, Houston Astros

Peter O'Brien, C/1B/OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Jake Thompson, RHP, Texas Rangers

Aaron Nola, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Luis Severino, RHP, New York Yankees

Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins

Yoan Moncada, INF, Boston Red Sox

2015 Stats (A-Ball): .333/.385/.333, 3 R, 0 XBH (0 HR), 1 RBI, 0 SB, 3-1 K/BB (13 PA)

No matter what happens, Yoan Moncada isn't going to make an appearance in the majors in 2015, so his radar status would be whatever comes after "red." But because of the hype surrounding him—not to mention the record-setting $31.5 million contract he scored as an international amateur out of Cuba from the Boston Red Sox—it's worth pointing out that he finally made his professional debut in America this week.

After spending the first part of the season in extended spring training, the all-around phenom, who will turn just 20 on May 27, has played three games so far for A-ball Greenville of the South Atlantic League. Moncada's most recent game on Wednesday was his best yet, as the switch-hitter went 3-for-4 with a run while serving as the designated hitter.

"He got three hits, but we will continue working on his approach," Greenville hitting coach Nelson Paulino told MiLB.com. "I don't want him to try to do too much because we have a long way to go. It is a long season."

But Moncada looks to be off to a good start.

Radar: Red

Julio Urias, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

2015 Stats (Double-A): 1-2, 3.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 46-9 K/BB (36.0 IP)

Julio Urias has continued to throw like one of the very best pitching prospects in baseball. Heck, just look at the stats at Double-A up top—and remember that this is a youngster who won't turn 19 until August.

For now, though, the Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander's season will be interrupted for about a month while he undergoes cosmetic surgery on his left eye on May 28, according to Ken Gurnick of the MLB.com. Although it doesn't impact his pitching, Urias has been dealing with a condition that has too much skin over his eye, which this procedure will address.

"Obviously, one of our main intentions—independent of the procedure—is to protect Julio and limit his workload," Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler said, per Gurnick. "We're mindful of pitch and innings totals for every pitcher in our organization. Our aim is to take a long view approach to Julio's progression with laser sharp focus on long-term health. A blow midseason made sense to us."

In other words, the club is considering this month-long break as an alternative way to manage Urias' innings this season. While it's conceivable he could come up in September to help L.A. down the stretch, that would be a best-case scenario as far as Urias' timeline.

Radar: Red

Joey Gallo, 3B/OF, Texas Rangers

2015 Stats (Double-A): .341/.457/.718, 16 R, 17 XBH (7 HR), 22 RBI, 1 SB, 35-19 K/BB (105 PA)

Joey Gallo was at it again Wednesday, smacking his third home run in two games.

As Alex M. Smith of MLB.com writes: "Joey Gallo continued a torrid stretch, hitting his third home run in 24 hours for Double-A Frisco. The third baseman followed a two-dinger night on Tuesday, which included an inside-the-park blast, with a solo homer on Wednesday."

The Texas Rangers slugger has been on fire since missing the first few weeks of the minor league season while recovering from surgery on his foot in early April. Although Gallo has been handling his natural third base, he also played his first game as a pro in the outfield this past week, logging a start in left field.

Back at Double-A where he finished 2014, Gallo has shown a knack for adjusting after an initial stretch in which he struggles at a new level. To wit, he hit just .232 with a 39.5 percent strikeout rate at Frisco last year, compared to .341 with a 33.3 percent mark that will still have to come down as he pushes through the minors on his way to Texas, perhaps at some point in the second half. 

Radar: Orange

Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins

2015 Stats (Double-A): 4-2, 2.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 58-16 K/BB (50.0 IP)

Folks, here is your minor league strikeout leader so far. Indeed, Jose Berrios has whiffed 58 batters, tying him with Alexander Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals organization and Jose De Leon in the Dodgers system. As impressive as all three have been to date, Berrios is the only one doing it at Double-A—and he doesn't even turn 21 until May 27.

Many of Berrios' numbers this year look eerily similar to 2014, which is a good thing because he dominated while pitching across parts of three levels last season. At some point in the near future, Berrios should get bumped to Triple-A, where he made his final start of '14.

From there, it's possible the right-hander could make his big league debut in the second half, regardless of whether the surprising Minnesota Twins (23-17) are still hanging around the playoff picture. If they are, Berrios could provide a late-season boost.

Radar: Orange

Hector Olivera, 2B/3B, Los Angeles Dodgers

2015 Stats: N/A

At long last, Hector Olivera officially is a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although it was reported in late March—almost two full months ago—that the club had landed the former star of Cuba's Serie Nacional for $62.5 million, the transaction was finalized only this week as the 29-year-old passed his physical and went through all the other formalities.

Now the question becomes: How soon can the career .323/.407/.505 hitter in Cuba's top pro league be ready to help the Dodgers?

"In three or four weeks, I'll be ready," Olivera said, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

For now, he'll start out at Class A Rancho Cucamonga just to get his feet wet after being away from competition for so long, followed soon by a jump to Triple-A Oklahoma City, as Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained.

"We feel very confident he's going to come up at some point this year and be an option for us and help us win games," Friedman said. 

While Olivera's own estimated timetable might be a bit rushed, it seems reasonable that he could make it to the majors right around the All-Star break in mid-July, perhaps sooner if he performs well. As for where he'll play considering L.A.'s infield is full, expect Olivera to get most of his action at third base, where veteran Juan Uribe is OPSing .571 and in the final year of his contract as a 36-year-old.

Radar: Orange

Steven Matz, LHP, New York Mets

2015 Stats (Triple-A): 4-2, 1.80 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 54-19 K/BB (50.0 IP)

Just about the only thing standing between Steven Matz and his MLB debut is the fact that the New York Mets have, like, 14 starting pitchers as is.

But the soon-to-be 24-year-old can't worry about that. Instead, he has kept on dominating the high minors. After pitching at Double-A over the second half of last year, Matz has been dynamite in his first shot at Triple-A, where he's in the offensive Pacific Coast League and pitching at a hitter-friendly home park.

As Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com notes: "Matz has put himself in position to be the next guy to get the call should the Mets need someone in back of Noah Syndergaard. The No. 62 prospect has a 1.80 ERA, .194 BAA and 9.7 K/9 ratio in 50 innings, all while pitching in Las Vegas."

Matz has been even better of late, too, having thrown at least seven innings in four of his past five starts.

At the moment, there's no spot for Matz, but whether injury opens the door or the Mets decide to use him out of the bullpen as they chase down a postseason spot, he should make it to New York in the second half.

Radar: Orange

Matt Wisler, RHP, Atlanta Braves

2015 Stats (Triple-A): 2-3, 4.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 38-9 K/BB (45.0 IP)

Since getting knocked around for seven runs on nine hits in 4.1 frames on April 29, Matt Wisler has thrown a lot better for his new organization.

Acquired by the Atlanta Braves hours before the first pitch of the 2015 regular season as part of the Craig Kimbrel trade, the 22-year-old right-hander has put together a 2.52 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18 strikeouts over his past 25 innings across four starts.

Wisler continues to struggle against lefty hitters, who have an .827 OPS against him, compared to just .673 for righty swingers. As long as he works to clean that up, there's a good chance the former San Diego Padres prospect could get a look fairly soon at the back end of the Braves five-man, especially now that Mike Minor is done for the season and the No. 5 spot is inhabited by Williams Perez.

Radar: Yellow

Brian Johnson, LHP, Boston Red Sox

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

2015 Stats (Triple-A): 5-2, 2.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 41-17 K/BB (42.1 IP)

The Boston Red Sox, you might have heard, could use some pitching help. The club has three young left-handers at Triple-A in Eduardo Rodriguez, Henry Owens and Brian Johnson, each of whom is likely to come up at some point in 2015.

Of those three, the 24-year-old Johnson appears to be the most major league-ready right now. Although he's not overpowering or known for great stuff, Johnson does have a deep repertoire and solid command of it, which should help the 2012 first-rounder once he's in Boston.

That might not be too much longer, either, considering Johnson has allowed more than one earned run only once in his eight starts so far. If current No. 5 starter Steven Wright stumbles at all, look for Johnson to be next in line.

Radar: Yellow

Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros

2015 Stats (Double-A/Triple-A): .368/.434/.671, 35 R, 29 XBH (8 HR), 36 RBI, 16 SB, 31-18 K/BB (175 PA)

There's just not much more Carlos Correa can do in the minors. The way he's going, now at Triple-A, it seems impossible that Correa won't play his way to the Houston Astros before his 21st birthday in September.

After pwning (yes, with a "p") Double-A, the shortstop has been doing rather well at Fresno in the PCL, too, going 12-for-38 (.316) with five extra-base knocks, including a home run, over his first eight games at the level. He also is sporting a solid 6-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his 42 plate appearances.

As for Correa's radar color, it's green and staying that way because the Astros—who own the best record in the entire American League—could just decide to bring him up at any point.

Radar: Green

Rusney Castillo, OF, Boston Red Sox

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Stats (Triple-A): .304/.355/.449, 7 R, 6 XBH (2 HR), 9 RBI, 6 SB, 10-6 K/BB (76 PA)

After dealing with multiple injuries and a slow start early on, Rusney Castillo has gotten hot of late, and there's a lot of speculation that a call-up could come any day now.

Since May 10, the 27-year-old Cuban has gone 11-for-29 (.379) with four stolen bases and a pair of home runs, both of which came in the same May 15 game. Castillo, however, has not played since May 17 because he has been away from Pawtucket for the birth of his child, according to Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald.

"I think you can make a guy fit if a guy’s forcing his was on the team with the way he’s performing," manager John Farrell said, per Zack Cox of NESN.com, "and Rusney has swung the bat of late very well. We know he’s been away for a couple of days. There’s nothing imminent, but at the same time, that conversation has started."

That's good, because the Red Sox's offense could use a jolt, as it ranks 19th in runs scored for the season and—get this—dead last and by a lot since the start of May. Castillo alone can't stop that, but he sure can help. 

Radar: Green

Statistics are accurate through Wednesday, May 20, 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.