This year we have seen such an infusion of top prospects in a short period of time because of the truncated season. It’s like loading up an 8 oz glass of milk with enough chocolate for a 16 oz glass and it tastes GREAT! We’ve seen Joey Bart, Dylan Carlson, Brady Singer, Jo Adell, Dylan Carlson, Casey Mize, Alec Bohm, Nick Madrigal, Triston McKenzie, Deivi Garcia, Sixto Sanchez, Jazz Chisholm, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Bobby Dalbec to name a few. Not to mention, Luis Robert, Nate Pearson, Jesus Luzardo, Nico Hoerner, Dustin May and others who either we knew were staring the year with their big league club or we saw some last year, but were still classified as prospects. 2020 Topps Update and 2021 Topps will have more rookie cards than an Eskimo has ice.
There are a few factors to consider when predicting who we’re going to see over the next couple of weeks. Is the team in contention? Therefore the call-up would improve the club and their positioning for the playoffs. Does the current team makeup benefit the prospect? Meaning is there a position for them/would they receive regular playing time?
Lets take a look at some of the prospects I see getting a call and some of the team situations impacting the chances for a call up.
The Yankees have called up #2 prospect Clarke Schmidt, he appeared in relief of a doubleheader vs the Orioles, but the question is, will he get a start or will be a doubleheader arm/taxi squad guy the rest of the way, meaning no impactful innings. That we’ll have to see.
Yusniel Diaz, Orioles, OF, 55/80 – He was the highest profile piece that the O’s got back in the Machado deal. He played at AA LY and slashed .262/.335/.472 with 11 HR over 76 games.
Bryan Mata, Red Sox, RHP, 55/80 – He is the team’s #2 prospect now that Dalbec is playing with the big league club. The Red Sox are out of it and will most likely try to avoid exposing any of their top minor league talent but seeing that Mata pitched at AA last year, he could get the call if the Red Sox run into the injury bug or need additional pitching for doubleheaders.
Brailyn Marquez, Cubs, LHP, 60/80 – He is the #1 prospect in the Cubs system. If he gets the call it will probably be for a bullpen role. He’s 21, only reached High A last year, but he has an electric fastball (80/80 grade). They wouldn’t insert him into a starting role having only reached High A, but that fastball could be a game changer out of the pen.
I think it’s a long shot, but I could see the Reds calling Lodolo (LHP) or India (3B)
Nolan Jones, Indians, 3B, 60/80 – He’s the #1 prospect in the system. He reached AA last year and slashed .253/.370/.466 with 8 home runs over 49 games. The Indians are in a 3 team battle for the division and if they think he can help them, now that they can’t trade for anyone, he’ll be up. With Ramirez at 3rd, Jones would have to play the outfield. Mercado and Luplow are hitting under .200 and they just acquired Naylor at the deadline, so the Indians will want to see what they have in him for a little while longer.
If the Rockies stay in it, they could make the call for #2 prospect, RHP Ryan Rolison
Right now the Tigers have a full rotation, but if they stay close to .500 for a few more weeks and someone goes down they could call on Alex Faedo, now the #3 prospect in the system after Mize, Paredes and Skubal’s call up.
The only way the Twins call top prospects Royce Lewis (SS/3B) or Alex Kirilloff (1B/OF) up is if they get hit with a serious injury bug or a COVID outbreak and need bodies. Though, maybe one or both get the call during the last week or so to be around the club during a clinching situation.
MacKenzie Gore, Padres, LHP 70/80 – I really think that the Padres could call up Gore to bolster their pen down the stretch and into the playoffs. They were extremely aggressive at the deadline and I don’t think that’ll stop, so where can they be aggressive now?...With their prospects.
Taylor Trammell, Mariners, OF, 55/80 – I think the Mariners will bring up one of their 3 other top outfield prospects before the end of the season to pair with Kyle Lewis. Of the 3 I think Trammell is the closest based on age and experience. 10 homers and 20 steals at AA LY over 126 games…guy makes me think of Carl Crawford.
Logan Gilbert, Mariners, RHP, 55/80 – Having nothing to lose, Gilbert gets a call soon and makes a handful of starts before the year is over. He’s already 23, pitched well at AA last year 4-2 2.88/0.98 ERA/WHIP and 10.1 K-rate over 9 starts, so he’s a logical choice if there is an injury or struggles by any of the current starters. Plus, it’d be good to give him some competitive innings this year.
The Rays are so deep and healthy that Wander Franco (SS) is blocked right now. They’d rather him get regular at-bats over at the training site than only catching some BP with the big league club. Unless there is a rash of bad injury luck, Franco is going to be spectating. IF they do call him up, he’ll hardly play, see what the DBacks did with their top prospect Varsho for the first few weeks after he got the call. The Rays may call on Vidal Brujan (SS) before Franco but that would be because of the speed. Vidal grades 80/80 in the running category and has 151 steals in 399 minor league games. He could pinch run in key spots but his plate appearances would be limited.
If you’re into prospects like I am, this has been an excellent season and it’s not going to stop. Strap in and get ready for more. Visit the BALLCAP Sports YouTube Channel for Player Lock videos of some of the top call ups this season.