Top MLB Prospect Call-Up Radar Report, Week 12
As we've seen throughout the 2015 MLB regular season, highly regarded prospects can significantly improve a team's fortunes.
There's never been a time in baseball history where there have been so many talented youngsters performing in important roles. Joc Pederson, Kris Bryant, Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and a host of other talents are ushering baseball fans into a new era.
So, who's next? To simplify the process, we will use a classification system to predict when the following prospects will make their MLB debuts. It is as follows:
- 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
When can baseball fans expect the likes of Yoan Moncada, Miguel Sano, Josh Bell and Steven Matz? Read on to find out!
Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
1 of 7
2015 Stats (AA): 0-3, 22 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 10.23 K/9, 2.05 BB/9
Poor Dylan Bundy.
The Baltimore Orioles right-hander's ascent to the big leagues has been hindered by a rash of injuries throughout his young career.
After a cup of coffee with Baltimore in 2012, Bundy suffered an elbow injury and needed Tommy John surgery in 2013. Bundy was able to return to the mound last season and figured to push for a spot with the Orioles some time in 2015 if everything went according to plan.
To perserve Bundy's arm, the Orioles never extended him further than four innings in his eight starts. The 22-year-old was impressive in those outings, striking out over 27 percent of the batters he faced.
But the dreaded injury bug struck again this past week. According to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun, Bundy has been shut down with shoulder inflammation and will visit Dr. James Andrews for an opinion on the matter.
Radar: Red
When Bundy has been healthy, there's no question he's had the look of a future ace. But with another injury concern, questions continue to mount regarding Bundy's ability to stay on the field.
Baltimore has no choice but to treat its top prospect with ultimate caution. Unfortunately for Orioles fans, that means they won't see Bundy in 2015.
Yoan Moncada, Boston Red Sox
2 of 7
2015 Stats (A): .200/.287/.289, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 4 SB
When the Boston Red Sox committed $63 million to snag Cuban wunderkind Yoan Moncada earlier this season, there was a small possibility that he could debut sometime in 2015.
After all, Moncada was immediately inserted into the seventh spot on MLB.com's top 100 prospect list. Despite being just 20 years old, Moncada's advanced skill set was hardly something that could be ignored, especially if Boston was in a pennant race.
But with the Red Sox unlikely to make the playoffs in 2015, there's no point in kickstarting Moncada's service time in a wasted season. Not to mention, Moncada has been overmatched at Single-A this season. He's hovering around the Mendoza line through a month's full of games and hasn't looked like the impact talent Boston emptied the vault for.
Moncada's struggles are understandable, as the Cuban is still getting acclimated to life in America. However, the youngster admitted recently that he's become more comfortable as the season has progressed.
“Even though the results aren’t there, I feel a lot better in the box,” Moncada told Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald. “I’ve been feeling really good and everything.”
Radar: Red
If the circumstances were different, maybe Boston would have expedited Moncada's path to the big leagues.
But his early struggle prove just how difficult it is to become a major leaguer. Moncada has all the talent in the world, but won't grace Fenway Park with his presence in 2015.
Jose Peraza, Atlanta Braves
3 of 7
2015 Stats (AAA): .300/.328/.377, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 19 SB
Jose Peraza had a chance to make the Atlanta Braves 25-man roster out of spring training, but lost out on the second base job due to Jace Peterson's impressive March.
With Peterson continuing to play well throughout the season, the Braves have begun playing Peraza in center field at Triple-A.
“I talked to (Triple-A Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker) today about it,” manager Fredi Gonzalez told David O'Brien of the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution. “He goes, ‘I’m not going to say you could run him out there tomorrow (in center) in a big league game, but he’s got the ability to do it.’"
Cameron Maybin is producing at a high level for the Braves in center field this season, but could be pushed to left field if Peraza proves he can play the position.
Peraza has picked up his play in recent weeks too, recording a hit in 15 of 20 games this month. He's pushed his average up over the .300 mark and has been a menace on the bases. If the 21-year-old continues to play well, he could force Atlanta into a decision in 2015.
Radar: Orange
Peraza's promotion likely hinges on Atlanta's ability to stay in the playoff picture. The Braves have managed to hang around when preseason expectations were extremely low.
The longer Atlanta keeps the pressure on the Washington Nationals and New York Mets in the National League East, the more realistic a 2015 Peraza call-up will become.
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Luis Severino, New York Yankees
4 of 7
2015 Stats (AA/AAA): 5-2, 67.1 IP, 2.81 ERA, 66 K's, 18 BB
After a breakout season in 2014, New York Yankees right-hander Luis Severino skyrocketed up prospects list around the league.
Severino has been equally as dominant in 2015. After fanning over 11 per nine innings in Double-A, the 21-year-old has posted a 2.15 ERA in five Triple-A starts.
Earlier this month, David Lennon of Newsday reported that general manager Brian Cashman probably wouldn't promote Severino to the big leagues any time soon.
While that would be the conventional route, Severino's electric stuff would be an asset for a team fighting for an American League East crown. With Nathan Eovaldi and CC Sabathia struggling and Andrew Miller on the shelf, Severino may not be at Triple-A for very long.
Radar: Orange
If Severino continues to pitch well in Triple-A, the Yankees will have no choice but to give him a chance.
New York will probably be in the market for a starter at the deadline, but an upgrade could already be in its system. Severino can't be worse than Sabathia or Eovaldi, right?
Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates
5 of 7
2015 Stats (AA): .318/.390/.438, 3 HR, 44 RBI
Josh Bell may be the best hitting prospect you've never heard about. But if the 22-year-old continues to crush minor league pitching, it won't stay that way for long.
Bell is hitting well over .300 with a near-.400 on-base percentage in Double-A. He doesn't have tremendous power, but he does have an elite approach at the dish. Not many minor league hitters walk more than they strike out, but that's exactly what Bell has done this season.
Still, Bell has only seen Double-A pitching. Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes Bell still has plenty to prove before a promotion to the majors.
"No," Brink said regarding if Bell would crack the big leagues in 2015. "He still has not reached Class AAA and he won't progress through Triple-A quickly enough to reach the majors this year. Next year is a possibility."
Once he's promoted to Triple-A, Bell can apply the pressure to Pittsburgh if he continues to produce. It may be unlikely, but Bell could be a second-half weapon for a team with World Series aspirations.
Radar: Orange
Bell won't finish the year in Double-A. He's proven all that he can there this season and figures to get an opportunity to prove himself further at Triple-A soon enough.
The Pirates aren't in desperate need of Bell's services with first baseman Pedro Alvarez having a decent season, but it's still a situation worth keeping an eye on.
Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins
6 of 7
2015 Stats (AA): .249/.351/.493, 13 HR, 41 RBI
After the Minnesota Twins recently promoted Byron Buxton, pundits around the league began to wonder when fellow top prospect Miguel Sano would get his turn.
After all, Sano is mashing in Double-A in 2015. The 22-year-old has been an extra-base hitting machine, as 27 of his 55 hits have gone for extra bases. Since last playing in 2013, Sano has lowered his strikeout rate while maintaining his walk rate.
With the surprising Twins scrapping for a postseason berth, Sano's power would be a welcome addition. Manager Paul Molitor doesn't think the idea of Sano being promoted to the majors is a crazy one.
“It’s a realistic thing to ask about when you have people who can come up and help you,” Molitor recently told Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “Every day that goes by, he’s closer to getting here. That’s kind of a general answer, but whether it’s in a couple weeks or September, we’ve been looking for him to get consistency.”
Radar: Yellow
Instead of blowing prospects at the trade deadline, the Twins seem to be content with giving their talented youngsters an opportunity to help them in 2015.
And why not? If Buxton and Sano fail, Minnesota is still poised for big things in the future. If Buxton's promotion proves anything, it's that the Twins brain trust will promote Sano as well if they think he can contribute.
Steven Matz, New York Mets
7 of 7
2015 Stats (AAA): 7-4, 90.1 IP, 2.19 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 9.37 K/9, 3.09 BB/9
Earlier this month, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reported that the New York Mets would promote left-handed pitching prospect Steven Matz "within three weeks."
Matz hasn't received that happy phone call yet, but after the Mets designated Dillon Gee for assignment, it shouldn't be too much longer.
The 24-year-old southpaw has done his part. Matz has dominated Triple-A hitters, striking out over nine per nine innings with a 2.19 ERA.
Success is nothing new to Matz, who hasn't posted an ERA above 3.00 at any stop in his minor league career. He's ready for major league action and will only add to New York's abundance of starting pitching talent.
Now if the they can just teach him how to hit.
Radar: Green
This is as close to a certainty as there is in MLB. Barring an unfortunate injury, Matz will be a Met by the All-Star break.
With Matz on board, New York's rotation has the potential to be one of the game's best for years to come.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of 6/24.
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