9 prospects who could help teams down the stretch
We see it yearly. September comes, and contenders throughout Major League Baseball get higher by digging into their very own farm methods, including vital expertise for the season’s most essential video games within the type of a prospect from the Minors.
The Reds, Giants and Red Sox have already finished that earlier than the stretch run kicks off in earnest on Sept. 1 by selling Top 100 prospects. The Reds summoned Noelvi Marte on Aug. 19 and although he’s gone 6-for-his-first-22, he’s additionally stolen 4 bases in 10 video games. San Francisco promoted Kyle Harrison on Aug. 22 and watched the left-hander publish a 1.86 ERA in his first two begins. The Red Sox referred to as up Ceddanne Rafaela previous to Monday’s collection opener towards the Astros and noticed him file a success in his first huge league at-bat.
Several different Top 100 Prospects have gotten the decision this month. The Dodgers introduced infielder Michael Busch again to L.A., the non-contending Cardinals determined it is time to get a protracted have a look at shortstop Masyn Winn, and the Yankees promoted high outfield prospects Everson Pereira and Jasson Domínguez trying to rectify a misplaced summer time within the Bronx.
Most intriguing, although, are the prospects who may assist contenders down the stretch. On this week’s MLB Pipeline Podcast, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo recognized 9 such gamers and grouped them by their probability to be summoned to the large leagues. Below are these candidates who may make a distinction in September … in addition to October and November.
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC (MLB No. 12)
The Cubs weren’t a preseason favourite to succeed in the postseason, however they’re proper within the thick of issues with a month to play, inside shouting distance of the NL Central-leading Brewers and well-positioned in what’s turn out to be a six-team dogfight for the NL’s three Wild Card spots. Chicago’s roster is fairly effectively stocked with veteran outfielders, however Crow-Armstrong does so many issues effectively, it’s laborious to see the Cubs not discovering a approach to contain him within the franchise’s first significant September video games in a number of years. The 21-year-old has dealt with himself effectively (.349 OBP, seven steals) following a mid-season promotion to Triple-A, and is any individual who can instantly translate the perfect elements of his sport – velocity and outfield protection – to the large leagues. Those are invaluable expertise in huge video games down the stretch.
SS Marco Luciano, SFG (MLB No. 27)
Luciano debuted in late July however was solely in San Francisco for 4 video games, and when the Giants despatched him again to Triple-A Sacramento, they did so with an initiative: to work on taking part in second base. Evaluators have lengthy believed Luciano would wish to finally transfer off shortstop, and the Giants just lately acquired depth on the place for the injured Brandon Crawford by selecting up Paul DeJong. What they want is offense. San Francisco is within the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt regardless of a below-average lineup when it comes to runs and homers. And whereas Luciano’s numbers took a step again this summer time on the greater ranges, his bat may actually assist the Giants down the stretch, maybe as a utility choice who can play a number of infield positions. Four of his final 5 begins at Sacramento have come at second base.
RHP Gavin Stone, LAD (MLB No. 83)
The Dodgers are buzzing together with an enormous lead within the NL West and will nonetheless catch the Braves for the league’s greatest file, however are virtually assured a first-round bye both manner. Stone is already part of that; he pitched six strong innings to beat the Red Sox for his first Major League win on Aug. 27, and has made 4 appearances for Los Angeles throughout three totally different huge league stints this yr. Everybody wants pitching come September, and he’s going to be a depth choice for the Dodgers down the stretch.
OF Colton Cowser, BAL (MLB No. 14)
Cowser struggled after making his Major League debut on July 5, hitting .115 in 61 at-bats, and acquired a ticket again all the way down to Triple-A when Cedric Mullins returned from the injured checklist on Aug. 11. The Orioles are down an outfielder once more proper now with Aaron Hicks sidelined, however referred to as upon the right-handed hitting Ryan McKenna over Cowser in his stead. It isn’t clear when Hicks could be again, however both manner, the Orioles have an array of choices at virtually each place. And whereas it was reported on Thursday that Cowser is predicted to be recalled on Friday, he isn’t even the one Orioles Top 100 outfielder who may assist down the stretch.
OF Heston Kjerstad, BAL (MLB No. 25)
If the Orioles are dealing with Kjerstad cautiously, they’ve good purpose. The No. 2 decide within the 2020 Draft missed greater than two years to well being issues earlier than taking Baltimore’s system by storm in 2022. But in the event that they’re trying to put collectively their very best roster for what would be the franchise’s first postseason video games in virtually a decade, Kjerstad is making a case that he needs to be on it. He’s break up this yr between Double-A and Triple-A to wonderful outcomes, slashing .305/.378/.541 with 19 homers throughout these two ranges.
3B Curtis Mead, TB (MLB No. 36)
Mead hits in all places he goes, and there may be little doubt he may deal with huge league pitching after posting a .372 OBP in an 11-game stint with the Rays in August. But Tampa Bay is all about roster building and matchups, and the Rays are already carrying the versatile Vidal Bruján in a super-utility function. Mead’s lack of defensive versatility would possibly maintain again his possibilities of returning this yr. But his offensive potential – albeit and not using a true defensive residence – may have worth down the stretch for the Rays, who’re solely two video games again of the Orioles within the AL East.
3B Tyler Black, MIL (MLB No. 55)
The Brewers have already referred to as up extremely rated prospects Joey Wiemer and Sal Frelick this yr, and Black hasn’t appeared overmatched since a promotion to Triple-A in early August, strolling greater than he’s struck out and posting a .372 OBP in 19 video games for Nashville. But he’s taking part in principally third base at Triple-A, and there may not be a transparent lane to the Majors with Andruw Monasterio holding down the recent nook adequately in Milwaukee. That mentioned, Black’s high instruments and method ought to translate fairly rapidly within the bigs, and he brings defensive expertise at three infield positions and two outfield spots. He may present worth to Milwaukee as a flexible bench choice with some pop.
RHP Connor Phillips, CIN (MLB No. 72)
It looks like the Reds have promoted a whole crew of high prospects this yr, and so they do want pitching assist, rating twenty fourth in MLB in crew ERA regardless of being proper within the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt. The downside is Phillips is admittedly struggling at Triple-A Louisville proper now; he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 6 ⅔ innings throughout his final 4 begins. Phillips’ command is a matter – he’s issued 29 walks in 34 ⅓ innings at Triple-A – however he’s nonetheless lacking greater than sufficient bats (9.7 SO/9). The stuff will play, and it performed up in his first profession reduction look on Aug 13. If the Reds do name on Phillips, it might be in that sort of shorter function.
SS/3B Orelvis Martinez, TOR (MLB No. 92)
The Blue Jays consider they’ve underperformed expectations this yr, and their infield has some holes heading into September with Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette touchdown on the injured checklist in current weeks. The group has all the time been aggressive with Martinez, who reached Triple-A Buffalo in late July as a 21-year-old. It’s solely 33 video games on the degree, however Martinez does have an . 845 OPS there and expertise at quick, third and second base. He’s additionally already on Toronto’s 40-man roster.
